Quiz for Lessons 376 - 380 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View quiz on Daily Grammar

Instructions: Rewrite the following, changing all indirect quotations to direct quotations and punctuating and paragraphing them correctly.

We had an interesting discussion last night. Mr. James who is a quiet, unassuming man said that he hasn't read about the election. I am afraid that I trust no one. Pam asked if he had voted for the president in the election. She said that everyone should vote each time. He replied that he had voted this time, but didn't think his vote would count for much. She asked if he had read in a popular magazine the article Every Vote Counts. We now know that every vote counts! Mr. James stated that he never knows how to vote. He needs to find an expert. Pam laughed and told him that he could come to her since the experts on television never agree on anything. I know better than the experts!

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

(The following answer is not the only way that you could correct the writing, but it will give some idea as to what should be done with the paragraph.)

We had an interesting discussion last night. Mr. James who is a quiet, unassuming man said, "I haven't read about the election. I am afraid that I trust no one."

Pam asked, "Did you vote for the president in the election? Everyone should vote each time."

He replied, "I voted this time, but I don't think my vote will count for much."

She asked, "Have you read in a popular magazine the article 'Every Vote Counts'? We now know that every vote counts!"

Mr. James stated, "I never know how to vote. I need to find an 'expert.'"

Pam laughed and told him, "You could come to me since the 'experts' on television never agree on anything. I know better than the 'experts'!"

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 380 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View lesson on Daily Grammar

Place question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks if they are part of the quotation. Place question marks and exclamation points outside the quotation marks if they pertain to more than the quotation.

Examples: 

Jim asked, "Where are you going?" 

Did Ann say, "I won't do it"?

"Are you sure!" exclaimed Becky. 

How happy she was to say, "I do"!

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. When Dad said that we were going camping, I shouted, What a great idea!

2. Mary asked, When are you going?

3. Didn't you hear me say, I will think about it?

4. Didn't you hear the policeman shout, Stop!?

5. We need protection from his kindness!

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. When Dad said that we were going camping, I shouted, "What a great idea!"

2. Mary asked, "When are you going?"

3. Didn't you hear me say, "I will think about it"?

4. Didn't you hear the policeman shout, "Stop!"?

5. We need protection from his "kindness"!

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 379 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View lesson on Daily Grammar

Always place commas and periods inside quotation marks. 

 

Example: 

One famous painting is "The Song of the Lark."

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. I like the sea poem The Revenge.

2. I had hoped, said Bob, that you would be in the play.

3. I enjoyed the story The Milk Pitcher, the short story about baseball and a cow.

4. Yes, Captain Smith said, we can go sailing.

5. You never answer anything with the word yes.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I like the sea poem "The Revenge."

2. "I had hoped," said Bob, "that you would be in the play."

3. I enjoyed the story "The Milk Pitcher," the short story about baseball and a cow.

4. "Yes," Captain Smith said, "we can go sailing."

5. You never answer anything with the word "yes."

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 378 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View lesson on Daily Grammar

Use quotation marks to set off words or phrases used in a special sense: technical, ironical, coined, slang, and words used as words in informal writing. 

 

Examples: 

Grant always uses the word "terrific." 

The car driving slowly down the street went "ka-lunk! ka-lunk!"

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. Show us how you are the expert.

2. The delegates ended their peace talks with much angry shouting.

3. I know we can make that jalopy into a great hot rod.

4. The boss is going to can us all if we don't get on the ball.

5. Why do you always say the word excellent to every statement?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Show us how you are the "expert."

2. The delegates ended their "peace talks" with much angry shouting.

3. I know we can make that "jalopy" into a great "hot rod."

4. The boss is going to "can" us all if we don't "get on the ball."

5. Why do you always say the word "excellent" to every statement?

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 377 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View lesson on Daily Grammar

Use single quotation marks for a quotation within a quotation. 

 

Example: 

"Dad always says, 'Maybe,'" cried Pam.

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. Have you read The Scarlet Ibis, a very good short story? asked the teacher.

2. He replied, I know she said, I am not sure.

3. Everyone will read the chapter entitled Africa for tomorrow, commanded the substitute teacher.

4. The witness answered, I heard the officer say Put down the gun!

5. This famous painting Square Sunlight has won many awards, stated the guide.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. "Have you read 'The Scarlet Ibis,' a very good short story?" asked the teacher.

2. He replied, "I know she said, 'I am not sure.'"

3. "Everyone will read the chapter entitled 'Africa' for tomorrow," commanded the substitute teacher.

4. The witness answered, "I heard the officer say 'Put down the gun!'"

5. "This famous painting 'Square Sunlight' has won many awards," stated the guide.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 376 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View lesson on Daily Grammar

Use quotation marks around the titles of short stories, short plays, short poems and short musical compositions; of art works, articles, chapters, essays, and speeches; of radio and television programs. 

 

Example: 

My favorite painting is "Blue Boy."

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. I was very interested in the article Our Missing President.

2. I loved the old television program Maverick.

3. Have you read Miniver Cheevy, the short narrative poem?

4. At Christmas time I love to read The Gift of the Magi, a short story by O. Henry.

5. That song playing is Greensleeves, isn't it?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I was very interested in the article "Our Missing President."

2. I loved the old television program "Maverick."

3. Have you read "Miniver Cheevy," the short narrative poem?

4. At Christmas time I love to read "The Gift of the Magi," a short story by O. Henry.

5. That song playing is "Greensleeves," isn't it?

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.