Placing a question mark with quotation marks often confuses even experienced writers. The rule relies entirely on logic rather than strict memorization. Unlike periods and commas, which almost always go inside quotation marks in American English, the question mark is a bit of a rebel. It moves based on context.
The Golden Rule
The placement depends on meaning. Ask yourself: Who is asking the question?
- Inside the quotes: Use this when the quoted text itself is a question.
Example: He asked, “Are you coming?” - Outside the quotes: Use this when the whole sentence is a question, but the quote is a statement.
Example: Did he really say “I am leaving”?
Table of Contents
Rule 1: When the Question Mark Goes Inside
You place the punctuation inside the closing quotation mark when the quoted material is a direct question. In this scenario, the person you are quoting is the one asking something. The rest of your sentence might be a statement, but the quote retains its own punctuation.
She looked at me and asked, “What time is dinner”? (The quote is the question, so the mark belongs inside.)
This rule applies even if the quote is in the middle of the sentence. However, if the quote is a question, you generally do not need a comma after the question mark.
Example in context: “Are we there yet?” asked the child from the backseat.
Rule 2: When the Question Mark Goes Outside
This is where many people get tripped up. You place the question mark outside the quotation marks when the entire sentence is a question, but the quoted text is just a statement, a title, or a phrase. Here, the question mark belongs to you (the writer), not the person you are quoting.
Think of it as the question mark wrapping up the whole idea, not just the quoted part. Punctuating this correctly shows the reader exactly where the emphasis lies Source-1✅.
Do you really believe he said “I never liked pizza”?
Do you really believe he said “I never liked pizza?” (The speaker didn’t ask a question about pizza; you asked a question about what he said.)
This logic is standard across major style guides, including APA and MLA.
Rule 3: When Both Are Questions
Sometimes, life gets complicated. What happens when your full sentence is a question, and the quote inside it is also a question? You might be tempted to use two question marks, but that looks cluttered and is grammatically incorrect.
In this rare case, the rule is simple: Use only one question mark, and place it inside the quotation marks. The inner punctuation is strong enough to serve both the quote and the main sentence.
Did she just ask, “Who are you?”
Did she just ask, “Who are you?”? (Double punctuation is unnecessary.)
Quick Comparison Table
Here is a breakdown to help you visualize the difference immediately.
| Scenario | Placement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quote is a question | Inside | Bob asked, “Where is my car?“ |
| Sentence is a question | Outside | Did Bob say “I sold the car”? |
| Both are questions | Inside (Single) | Did Bob ask “Where is my car?“ |
Titles and “Scare Quotes”
The rules remain consistent when you are dealing with titles of songs, TV show episodes, or articles. If the title itself has a question mark, keep it. If you are asking a question about a title that is a statement, the mark goes outside.
- Title with question mark: I just read the article “Why Do We Sleep?”
- Question about a title: Have you ever watched the episode “The Dinner Party”?
Sometimes writers use quotation marks to show irony or sarcasm (often called scare quotes). The logic holds up here too. If the scare quote is part of a bigger question, the mark goes outside.
Example: Do you really consider this mess “organized”?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Does the question mark always go inside quotes?
No. It only goes inside if the quoted text itself is a question. If the quote is a statement but your full sentence is a question, the mark goes outside.
Do I use two question marks if both are questions?
No. Never use double punctuation marks (like “??” or “?.?”). If both the sentence and the quote are questions, use a single question mark inside the quotation marks.
What is the rule for titles of songs or articles?
If the title naturally includes a question mark (e.g., “Where Is the Love?”), keep it inside. If the title is a statement but you are asking a question about it (e.g., Did you read “The Raven”?), place the question mark outside.
Is this rule different in British vs. American English?
Generally, no. While American and British English differ on commas and periods, they usually agree on question marks. Both follow the logic of placement based on whether the quote or the sentence is the question.
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