Using Colon inside Quotes?

Question

Which is proper: Being a "Superstar": Priceless or Being a "Superstar:" Priceless

Rommie · Accepted Answer

Well, both or neither, really, because "rules" governing punctuation aren't really "rules" in the sense that rules govening nouns, verbs and adjectives are rules. Punctuation "rules" vary considerably, often from publisher to publisher, or from newspaper to newspaper.

I can tell you that QUESTION MARKS and EXCLAMATION MARKS should go within quotes if they refer to the quoted material only; outside otherwise.

I can also tell you that COMMAS and PERIODS are usually place inside the quotes, but there are some exceptions in British English, and sometimes also when using monospaced fonts.

But I can't tell you a rule for COLONS, as I simply am not aware of one. Personally I'd place it outside the quotes - but that's just me.

The good news, though, is that whatever you choose to do, no-one can ever really tell you that you're wrong. The most important rule of all here is CONSISTENCY. Whatever you decide to do, stick with it throughout the whole document. If you chop and change, that will make it appear as though you don't know what you're doing.

Rommie

Guest · Answer

Excellent Answer!! Thank you very much!

Using Colon inside Quotes?

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