Welcome to Editor’s Note! This month, let’s take a deep dive into when to use single quotation marks vs. double quotation marks.
This is another one of the most common edits I make. The reason, once again, is that this is an area where language is changing. It used to be that using single quotation marks around a quote was strictly a British thing, and Americans used double quotes. Thanks to a few different influences—typing on phones, among other things—this is starting to change, and the use of single quotes is much more common on this side of the pond than it used to be.
However, for University writing, we want to follow what is still considered proper American English. We also want to stay consistent. Let’s break down which punctuation marks to use in different circumstances.
Double quotes
“Double quotes (used here)” are the ones most of you will think of when thinking about quotation marks. Double quotes are used in the following cases:
Around direct quotes. This is the most common use of quotation marks.
- “Don’t let me forget to send that email,” she said.
Around certain terms. Many writers will add double quotes around new words or terms that might be unfamiliar to the reader, or around words that they want to call attention to.
- Most typesetters refer to the spaces between lines of text as “leading.”
- Prospective students should visit the homepage and click on the “Admissions” button.
As so-called scare quotes. Scare quotes are used around words or terms being used ironically or sarcastically, or where writers want to distance themselves from a word. These are best avoided in formal writing.
- “Child protection” sometimes fails to protect.
- My 4-year-old niece made me some Play-Doh “cookies” yesterday.
Around certain titles. Following Chicago style, quote marks are added around titles of short works—e.g., essays, book chapters, newspaper articles, TV episode names, etc.
Single quotes
‘Single quotes (used here)’ should be used only in limited cases.
In headlines. If a word or phrase is being quoted in a headline, use a single quote, even if the phrase is in double quotes in the story.
- Fighting Irish ‘come home’ to Dublin
- ‘You’ve got power; use it’: Nobel laureate Maria Ressa speaks on democracy at Notre Dame Forum event
Around a quote within a quote. If a word or phrase that would ordinarily be in double quotes is used within a direct quote from someone, change the double quotes to single quotes to avoid confusion for the reader.
- “To quote your favorite movie, ‘I just want to tell you both good luck. We’re all counting on
you,’” she told him.
This ends the list of appropriate places to use single quotes, at least in formal writing.
The Chicago Manual of Style—which anyone with an NDID can access online for free through the Hesburgh Libraries—contains multiple entries about quotation marks across a few chapters. Here are a few good references if you ever have a question:
6.114 — Quotation marks relative to other punctuation and text
6.40 — Commas with quotations
7.57 — “Scare quotes”
Chapter 13 — Quotations and Dialogue
A commencement refresher
The 2024 Commencement Weekend is quickly approaching. For a University style refresher on terms related to commencement, check out the Editor’s Note newsletter from last March.
Pop quiz
Following University style, what’s the preferred spelling for this word?
A note about the pop quiz
Please think of these monthly quizzes as open-book! I don’t expect you to know the answer off the top of your head. I designed these quizzes, in fact, to get readers more comfortable using the University Style Guide to find the answer. You are encouraged to consult that before submitting your answer.
February pop quiz winner
Congrats to Leigh Lynes, project manager for the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative, the winner of the February pop quiz!
Following University style, what’s the preferred spelling for this word? health care
Following Merriam-Webster, the preferred spelling is health care, two words, in all cases.
What we’re reading
These are stories that we found to be interesting, fun, or thought-provoking. The views are not necessarily endorsed. Want to share a story you found? Feel free to send it to me.
Microsoft Word’s Subtle Typeface Change Affected Millions. Did You Notice?
The New York Times
Merriam-Webster says you can end a sentence with a preposition. The internet goes off
NPR
If you’re still using these dated words, you’re not alone
The Washington Post
Georgia college student used Grammarly, now she is on academic probation
Fox 5 Atlanta
Everyone needs an editor. Lyft just learned it the hard way
CNN Business
Latest style guide updates
Emeritus is the term for males, emerita for females, and emeriti for more than one of either sex. There is no need to capitalize the term unless it’s part of an official title. When referring to a group of people with emeritus status, use professors emeriti or faculty emeriti.
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