Quotation Marks

Q. What are quotation marks?
A. Quotation marks are double inverted commas used to offset a quotation or spotlight a word in a sentence

Q, How do I punctuate using quotation marks?
A. Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks.

• She said, “I like these boots.”
  
• She said, “I like these boots,” and then she bought them. 
  
• She said these boots are “nice.”
  

Exclamation points and question marks go inside the quotation marks depending on whether or not they apply to the quoted portion.

• Did she say, “These boots are on sale”?
  
• She asked, “Are these boots on sale?”
  

Q. What are sneer quotes?
A. Sneer quotes are used to offset a word ironically—often with a sarcastic intention

• These grammar tips are “interesting”
  
• These boots are really “stylish”
  

While sometimes quotation marks can be used to spotlight a word, be careful not to produce the opposite effect by mistake

Fun fact: Inch marks are straight quotation marks. However, curly quotes (“ ” as opposed to " ") created in some fonts, are not inch marks

• 5” – incorrect 
  
• 5" – correct