1. Direct Speech:
* To enclose the exact words someone said:
* "I'm going to the store," she said.
* "What did you say?" he asked.
2. Quotations:
* To cite the exact words of another person, from a book, article, or other source:
* "The only way to do great work is to love what you do," said Steve Jobs.
* The article stated, "The economy is expected to grow by 2% this year."
3. Titles of Works:
* To enclose the titles of short works, such as songs, poems, short stories, chapters, articles, and essays:
* I just listened to the song "Bohemian Rhapsody."
* "The Tell-Tale Heart" is one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous short stories.
4. Special Words or Phrases:
* To indicate that a word or phrase is being used in a special way, such as slang, technical jargon, or irony:
* He was a real "go-getter."
* The "best" solution was actually the most expensive.
5. Single Inverted Commas (Apostrophes):
* To indicate possession:
* The dog's bone.
* The children's toys.
* To indicate a contraction:
* I'm going to the store.
* It's a beautiful day.
Style Guide Differences:
* British English: Often uses double quotation marks for speech and single quotation marks for quotations within quotations.
* American English: Often uses double quotation marks for speech and for quotations within quotations.
Key Points:
* Punctuation: Place periods and commas inside quotation marks in American English, and outside in British English. Colons and semicolons always go outside the quotation marks.
* Consistency: Use the same style of quotation marks throughout your writing (single or double) unless you are following a specific style guide.
If you are unsure about how to use inverted commas, it is always best to consult a style guide or a dictionary.