Quotation Marks: How to use Them Properly

One of my biggest pet peeves ever (and that’s saying something, because I have quite a few grammar pet peeves) is misused quotation marks. I see it everywhere, especially on signs. In their proper place, they’re very handy. But they’re butchered constantly.

Basically, there are two instances in the English language in which you want to use quotation marks.

A) If you’re quoting something. Obvious. In which case, it works like this:

“Don’t you hate it when quotation marks are used incorrectly?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” he agreed.

You can also do it like this:

She said that using quotation marks properly was “simple”, “painless” and “easy” once you know how. 

B) If you’re trying to highlight irony or wit.

It was all part of the “magic” behind making Harry Potter.

Simple. Here’s an example of when you don’t need quotation marks.

Fill-in-the-Blank-Company. “Providing quality since whenever”

Absolutely no need for quotation marks.

And that's it!