Periods Inside or Outside Quotes: A Comprehensive Guide

What Do the Rules Say?

It’s a common debate among writers and editors: should periods be placed inside or outside of quotation marks? The answer is that it depends on which style guide you’re following.

For example, The Chicago Manual of Style and the Associated Press Stylebook both prefer periods to be placed outside of quotation marks. On the other hand, The Modern Language Association and The American Psychological Association both prefer periods to be placed inside of quotation marks.

It’s important to note that other punctuation marks – such as commas, colons, and semicolons – should always be placed inside of quotation marks.

What’s the Difference?

The difference between the two styles of punctuation can be attributed to the different ways in which the two styles approach language. The Chicago Manual of Style takes a more formal approach to language, while The Modern Language Association takes a more conversational approach.

The Chicago Manual of Style views quotation marks as a way to set off a direct quotation from the main text. It emphasizes the importance of the quote itself and believes that placing the period outside of the quotation marks gives the quote more emphasis. On the other hand, The Modern Language Association views quotation marks as a way to set off a piece of dialogue or a phrase, and believes that placing the period inside of the quotation marks helps to emphasize the dialogue or phrase.

Which Style Should You Use?

When it comes to punctuating quotations, the most important thing is to be consistent. Pick one style and stick with it throughout your document. If you’re writing for a specific publication or organization, make sure to check their style guide to make sure you’re following the correct rules.

Examples of Periods Inside or Outside Quotes

Here are some examples of the different styles of punctuating quotations:

With periods outside the quotation marks:

"I love to write".

With periods inside the quotation marks:

"I love to write."

Conclusion

When it comes to punctuating quotations, the most important thing is to be consistent. Different style guides may have different rules on whether periods should be placed inside or outside of the quotation marks, but the important thing is to pick one style and stick with it throughout your document.