Select the correct statement or statements:
A) Commas and periods always go outside the ending quotation mark.
B) Semicolons and colons always go inside the ending quotation mark.
C) Question marks and exclamation points go inside the ending quotation mark if the quotation is a question or an exclamation.
Answer is A although C could be
C is right.
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To determine the correct statement, we need to understand the placement rules for punctuation marks and quotation marks. Here's how you can figure it out:
1. Commas and periods: In American English, commas and periods typically always go inside the ending quotation mark. This is the opposite of British English. So, if the sentence or phrase inside the quotation ends with a comma or period, the punctuation mark should be placed inside the ending quotation mark.
Example: She said, "I'll be there in a minute."
2. Semicolons and colons: Both semicolons and colons always go outside the ending quotation mark. They are not considered part of the quotation and should not be included within the quotation marks.
Example: He quoted the famous line: "To be or not to be."
3. Question marks and exclamation points: These punctuation marks have slightly different rules. If the quotation is a question or an exclamation, the question mark or exclamation point goes inside the ending quotation mark. However, if the quote is not a question or an exclamation, the punctuation mark goes outside the ending quotation mark.
Example 1 (quotation is a question): She asked, "Where are you going?"
Example 2 (quotation is not a question): He said, "I'll see you later".
Based on these rules, the correct statement would be:
A) Commas and periods always go outside the ending quotation mark.
However, your consideration of option C is valid as well. The decision may depend on the specific style guide or formatting guidelines you are following.