Quick Answer: Inside or Outside?
Here is the short answer depending on your region:
American English (US): Periods always go inside the quotation marks.
British English (UK): Periods usually go outside the quotation marks, unless the quoted part is a full sentence.
This difference is often called logical punctuation versus typesetters’ punctuation.
Table of Contents
Putting a period inside or outside of quotation marks is one of the most confusing parts of writing in English. It depends entirely on where your audience is. If you are writing for an American audience, the rule is surprisingly simple. If you are writing for a British or international audience, the rule follows logic rather than aesthetics. Knowing these differences ensures your writing looks professional and clean.
The American Rule: Always Inside
In the United States, the convention is rigid. Periods and commas always go inside the quotation marks. It does not matter if the quote is a fragment, a single word, or a complete sentence. This style is often called typesetters’ quotation because it was originally designed to prevent the tiny period key from breaking off on old printing presses.
US Style Examples
Notice how the period sits snugly inside the closing quote mark:
- She said, “I will be there soon.”
- He called the movie “boring.”
- The article described the event as “chaotic,” “loud,” and “unpredictable.”
Even if the quote is just a tiny piece of the sentence, the period tucks inside.
Major American style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook, strictly enforce this rule Source-1✅. It makes the text look neat and uniform, even if it sometimes feels illogical to place punctuation belonging to the main sentence inside a quoted phrase.
The British Rule: Logical Placement
British English (along with Australian and other Commonwealth English) follows a system called logical punctuation. The rule here is simple: place the period exactly where it belongs.
If the period is part of the original quoted text, put it inside. If the period belongs to your sentence (the one containing the quote), put it outside.
Scenario A: Sentence Fragment
If you are quoting a phrase or a partial thought, the period goes outside because it ends your sentence, not the quote.
Example:
He called the situation “a bit of a mess“.
Scenario B: Complete Sentence
If you are quoting a full sentence that stands alone, the period goes inside.
Example:
The minister stated, “We will not raise taxes.”
The Oxford Style Guide supports this logical approach, which is widely preferred in academic and scientific writing outside the US Source-2✅. It avoids ambiguity about whether the punctuation was in the original source or added by the writer.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here is a direct look at how the same sentence changes based on your target region.
| Scenario | American Style (US) 🇺🇸 | British Style (UK) 🇬🇧 |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Quote | He said it was “incredible.” | He said it was “incredible“. |
| Full Quote | She asked, “Are you ready?” | She asked, “Are you ready?” |
| Defined Term | This is called “kerning.” | This is called “kerning“. |
What About Question Marks?
Interestingly, for question marks and exclamation points, the US and UK rules are actually the same! Both follow the logic rule.
- Inside: If the quote itself is a question.
She asked, “Where are you going?“ - Outside: If the whole sentence is a question, but the quote is not.
Did he really just say “I quit“?
Wrong: She asked, “Why?”X.
Exception: Parenthetical Citations
Academic writing often breaks the standard US rule. If you are using MLA or APA style with a parenthetical citation (where you put the page number in brackets), the period always goes after the parentheses.
- Standard US Quote
- He noted that “mistakes were made.”
- US Quote with Citation
- He noted that “mistakes were made” (Smith 24). Correct
- Incorrect Citation
- He noted that “mistakes were made.” (Smith 24) Wrong
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are quick answers to common confusions about punctuation placement.
Does the period go inside quotation marks in Canada?
Canadian English is a mix. Generally, it follows the American rule (period inside) for fiction and journalism, but may follow the British rule (period outside) in academic or government writing.
Where does the comma go in a quote?
In American English, commas always go inside quotation marks, just like periods. In British English, commas typically go outside unless they are part of the original quoted sentence.
Do I put a period inside single quotation marks?
If you are following US rules, yes. The period goes inside single quotes too (often used for quotes inside quotes). UK rules would place it outside unless it belongs to the quoted text.
What is typesetters’ punctuation?
Typesetters’ punctuation refers to the convention of placing periods and commas inside quotation marks for aesthetic reasons. It originated in the days of metal type to protect fragile punctuation pieces from damage.