Quick Punctuation ?

[albionmoonlight]

I can't remember how to punctuate quotes that are statements that come at the end of questions.

Is it:

Did Washington really say "I cannot tell a lie"?

Or:

Did Washington really say "I cannot tell a lie?"


All I remember is that the way I used to do it was wrong. But I can't remember which way that was.

Thanks.

[PackerFanatic]

It's the second way.

[NoMyths]

British system: after quotes (and the one I prefer for accuracy)
American system: in quotes

You'll note that the American system makes it seem as though Washington was asking a question, and it's the primary reason I feel it's flawed grammar.

[Drake]

I always use the British system. That's the way I learned it, so it must be right.

[EagleFan]

I thought it was supposed to be in the wuotes, but always go out of the quotes because as was stated earlier, inside it makes it look like the person being quoted was asking the question.

[AlexB]

British system: after quotes (and the one I prefer for accuracy)
American system: in quotes

You'll note that the American system makes it seem as though Washington was asking a question, and it's the primary reason I feel it's flawed grammar.

The 'British' (and I think generally correct) system is more to so with your NB - if Washington had asked a question (e.g. 'John Wilkes Who?') the question mark would be within the quotes, but if a question is asked about a Washington quote, as in your sentence, the question mark is outside the quotes as it is, as you say, your question, not his.

(That was a lot clearer in my head than how it seems to have come across written down :D )

[Lorena]

Isn't there a comma somewhere in there?

Did Washington really say, "I cannot tell a lie?"

[AlexB]

Isn't there a comma somewhere in there?

Did Washington really say, "I cannot tell a lie?"

The girl's got something there...

[NoMyths]

Fwiw, the story is almost undoubtedly apocryphal.

A comma is not always standard before a quotation.

[tanglewood]

Did Washington really say "I cannot tell a lie"?


I believe this is correct, but American English has different rules on punctuation in a lot of areas ('#£$%"!$*& MS Word) so don't use me as a barometer or anything.

[SnDvls]

Isn't there a comma somewhere in there?

Did Washington really say, "I cannot tell a lie?"


Yes there should be a comma, but if you are asking it as a question to his statement the ? should be outside the quotes.

[SnDvls]

dola - if you are asking a question to quote a question he asked it goes inside.