In Australian English, the correct use of quotation marks follows specific rules that differ slightly from American English conventions. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use quotation marks correctly in Australian English:
Single vs. Double Quotation Marks
Australian English typically uses single quotation marks (‘ ‘) for quoting direct speech, titles of certain works, or drawing attention to a word. Double quotation marks (” “) are used for a quote within a quote[1][4][7].
Placement of Punctuation
- Full Stops and Commas: In Australian English, full stops and commas are placed outside the closing quotation mark unless the quoted material itself is a complete sentence that ends with these punctuation marks. This rule applies when the quotation is part of a larger sentence[1]. For example:
- He said, ‘We will see how it goes’.
- ‘Today is beautiful,’ she remarked, ‘and so sunny’.
- Question Marks and Exclamation Points: These are placed inside the quotation marks if they are part of the quoted material, but outside if they pertain to the larger sentence[1][7]. For example:
- Did she really say, ‘We are leaving now’?
- He shouted, ‘Get out!’
Quotations Within Quotations
When quoting something within a quotation, use double quotation marks inside single quotation marks[4][7].
For example:
- She said, ‘I heard him yell “Fire!” in the middle of the night’.
Long Quotations
For quotations that are longer than about 30 words, Australian style guides recommend formatting the quote as a block quote without quotation marks. This format usually involves indenting the entire quote from the rest of the text[2].
Special Cases
- Titles: Use single quotation marks for titles of articles, poems, and chapters. Titles of books, newspapers, and films should be italicized rather than quoted[3][9].
- Errors in Quoted Material: If the original material contains an error, you can indicate this by inserting ‘[sic]’ immediately after the error to show it exists in the original source[2][8].
Consistency Is Key
Regardless of the specific rules, consistency is crucial. Once you choose a style of quotation marks (single or double) at the beginning of a document, you should stick with it throughout[4][10].
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your use of quotation marks adheres to Australian English standards, helping to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.
Citations:
[1] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/
[2] https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/punctuation/quotation-marks
[3] https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/punctuation-guide/
[4] https://www.capstoneediting.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-single-and-double-quotation-marks
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/otfww8/did_your_school_teach_you_to_use_single_or_double/
[6] https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/qa-quotes-and-punctuation-evil-or-not/
[7] https://getproofed.com.au/writing-tips/punctuation-tips-how-to-use-quotation-marks/
[8] https://stylemanual.com.au/contents/editing/punctuation/quotation-marks
[9] http://www.editoraustralia.com/styleguide_quotations.html
[10] https://concisewriting.com.au/quotation-marks-single-or-double/
[11] https://www.capstoneediting.com/blog/how-to-use-quotation-marks-correctlyquotation-marks-with-other-punctuation
[12] https://www.ef-australia.com.au/english-resources/english-grammar/quotation-marks/
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELVaDE1gBqM