Punctuation Inside Quotes, British vs American English?

c.m.n. · Nov 1, 2020

When writing a novel, is it more appropriate to have punctuation inside or outside of the quotes using British English?

I'm familiar with American English: "This is how you write a proper quotation."

There are some articles that say for British English: "This is the proper way to do it".

However, the above way looks strange to me.

(sorry if I'm beating a dead horse)

AW Admin · Nov 1, 2020

British usually uses terminal punctuation that isn't part of the quote outside the quote marks; they also use single and double quote marks differently.

There are lots of guides.

Doesn't matter which style you use, generally (if you're publishing in the U.S, use U.S, etc.). Pick one and standardize. If you're more familiar with one version, use it.

Mostly though it's important to be consistent. You can always fix style issues later, but if you're consistent (American spelling and punctuation or British spelling and punctuation) it's easier to alter them.

neandermagnon · Nov 1, 2020

Your example is not correct for British English.

If the whole sentence is in the quotes, so is the punctuation.

The punctuation goes outside the quotes if the quote only forms part of the sentence.

In your example:

"This is the proper way to do it."

however:

According the the politician, this was "the proper way to do it".

Punctuation Inside Quotes, British vs American English?

c.m.n.

Beary cute ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

AW Admin

neandermagnon

Nolite timere, consilium callidum habeo!