Does question mark come before or after quotations? This is a common question that often arises when writing or editing text. The placement of the question mark in relation to the quotations can significantly impact the clarity and correctness of the sentence. In this article, we will explore the rules and guidelines for using question marks with quotations in English writing.
The general rule for placing a question mark with quotations is that the question mark should come after the closing quotation mark. This applies when the quotation itself is a question. For example:
“Are you going to the party tonight?” she asked.
In this sentence, the question mark is placed after the closing quotation mark because the quotation is a question.
However, if the sentence as a whole is a question, and the quotation is part of the question, the question mark should come before the opening quotation mark. For example:
Did she say, “I will be late?”
In this case, the question mark is placed before the opening quotation mark because the entire sentence is a question.
It’s important to note that when using indirect speech, the question mark is placed at the end of the sentence, regardless of the position of the quotation marks. For example:
She asked if I was going to the party tonight.
In this sentence, the question mark is placed at the end of the sentence, even though the original quote had a question mark.
There are also exceptions to these rules. For instance, when using a question mark to indicate a direct quote within a larger question, the question mark should come after the closing quotation mark. For example:
Did you know that the capital of France is Paris?
In this sentence, the question mark is placed after the closing quotation mark because the entire sentence is a question.
In conclusion, the placement of the question mark in relation to quotations depends on the context of the sentence. When the quotation itself is a question, the question mark comes after the closing quotation mark. When the sentence as a whole is a question, the question mark comes before the opening quotation mark. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear and grammatically correct.
