Towards The Use of Inverted Commas In Writing

 If you don't know the difference between single inverted comm and double inverted comma, this article will do you  great benefits. Just try to read till the end. This topic will be discussed in relation to standard English. What is inverted commas? Inverted commas are underwise called Quotation Marks in British English. These are used to enclose words of direct speech. 

Generally, double inverted quotation ("x") are regarded as standard; the single inverted comma ('x') is used for a quote inside a quote. This means the double quotation comes before the single quotation if you want to use the two quotations within a sentence. 

Examples:

1. I heard the violent man say, "the policeman shouted 'catch that man'. "

2.Professor Flynn began with, "Even if you've never read a word of Shakespeare, I'm sure you've heard 'To be or not to be' a thousand times."

Inverted commas can be used to puntuate the title of books, plays, films, poem, and articles.

3. Achebe wrote "Things Fall Apart".

4. "The Funny Girl" is still showing.

Note that when we use inverted commas to indicate title, the first letter in each word in the  title must be in capital letters. Another thing is that the "the full stop" must come after the inverted comma.

They are also used to indicate that a word is used not in its general accepted sense, or that a word or phrase is a foreign one. 

5. MachMillan termed the process for the liberation of Arricy as "The Winds of Change".

6. We wear 'agbada' in Nigeria. 

In British English, the usual style is to use single quotation marks, while any associated punctuation is placed outside the closing quotation mark:

Their new single is called 'Curtain Falls'.

Rules:

America English and British English

In America English, double quotation is the standard if you want to quote someone or something. E.g Mr Ade said that, 'he was coming.' In America English the  full stop must be inside the the quotation ( Femi said that, "he has watched the sorrow of joy.")

In British English single quotation mark is used to quote someone or start a quote. E.g Ade said that, 'he was coming'. The double quotation mark is used inside a quote in British English ( Mr Alex started his words with 'education is the key to civilization but "civilization is often missed understood with civilization"). In British English, the full stop comes after the quotation mark. E.g Femi had read "The Things Fall Apart".

kindly read well and follow the British style. However, in using inverted commas, both are correct in terms of quoting something or someone but you must stick to one throughout the piece. But in terms of full stop placement or commas the British is the standard. 

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