In English, where should you place periods and question marks used in dialogue?

Question

Inside the closing quotation Mark's
Outside the closing quotation marks
Inside the opening quotation marks
Outside the opening quotation marks

Answer 1

In English, periods and question marks used in dialogue are typically placed inside the closing quotation marks if they are part of the quoted material. If the punctuation pertains to the overall sentence and not the quotation, it should be placed outside the quotation marks.

Here are some examples to clarify:

1. If the quoted material includes a period:

   • She said, "I will go to the store."

2. If the quoted material is a question:

   • He asked, "Are you coming to the party?"

3. If the entire sentence is a question, but the quote is not:

   • Did she really say, "I don't like ice cream"?

So, the general rule is: place periods and question marks inside the closing quotation marks if they belong to the quote itself; otherwise, place them outside.