Grammar Girl just published this helpful video that explains how to use single quotation marks correctly. So if you don't already know, watch and learn! If you do, watch anyway and marvel at her skill at explaining grammar rules clearly.
Meh, not very concise of her. More troubling is her use of finger quotes, which imply that when she says "quotation marks," she doesn't actually mean them.
Also, it wouldn't have taken long to explain how they're used in Britain.
Her example wasn't particularly clear as far as explaining the concept of nested quotations. She is using the quotation marks in two completely different ways. A better example would have been:
Laura asked, "Did Bob say, 'I hate those mushy peas,' or did he say 'I ate those mushy peas,' because there's a big difference, you know."
Okay, so maybe there's supposed to be some question marks in there or something. You get the idea. Using "scare quotes" (like those) just confuses the issue.
She IS good!
ReplyDeleteMeh, not very concise of her. More troubling is her use of finger quotes, which imply that when she says "quotation marks," she doesn't actually mean them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it wouldn't have taken long to explain how they're used in Britain.
i liked her explanation video. but was she calling it "sneer" or "snare" or what (for when we don't really mean what we're saying)?
ReplyDeletei couldn't understand it clearly ... and i've never heard those terms before.
she was saying scare quotes or sneer quotes. like you're afraid of the meaning of the term, or sneering at it :)
ReplyDeleteHer example wasn't particularly clear as far as explaining the concept of nested quotations. She is using the quotation marks in two completely different ways. A better example would have been:
ReplyDeleteLaura asked, "Did Bob say, 'I hate those mushy peas,' or did he say 'I ate those mushy peas,' because there's a big difference, you know."
Okay, so maybe there's supposed to be some question marks in there or something. You get the idea. Using "scare quotes" (like those) just confuses the issue.