1. To indicate direct speech:
* This is their most common purpose. Speech marks enclose the exact words someone has spoken.
* "I'm going to the store," she said.
* "What a beautiful day!" exclaimed the boy.
2. To show titles of works:
* Speech marks are used for the titles of short works like songs, poems, articles, chapters, and short stories.
* I love the song "Bohemian Rhapsody."
* Have you read the article "The Future of Artificial Intelligence"?
3. To highlight a word or phrase:
* This is often used for emphasis or irony.
* She was "delighted" to see him. (Implying she was not actually delighted)
* The "expert" couldn't even fix a flat tire. (Highlighting the lack of expertise)
4. To indicate a word or phrase used in a special way:
* This is particularly useful for technical terms, slang, or words used in a non-standard way.
* The "vibe" in the room was electric. (Using "vibe" as slang)
* He used the term "metaverse" to describe his new project. (Introducing a specific term)
5. To show a definition or translation:
* "Bonjour" means "hello" in French.
Important Note:
* Different languages and styles of writing may have different conventions for using speech marks. For example, some languages use single quotation marks (') instead of double quotation marks ("). It's always helpful to check the specific style guide you are following.