inverted comma
Curly punctuation mark
Inverted comma is the British term for what Americans call a quotation mark—the punctuation marks that set off quoted speech or text.
The name describes their shape: commas rotated or inverted.
British usage traditionally prefers single inverted commas 'like this' where American usage prefers double "like this".
Written clarity symbols
- apostropheMark showing ownership
- curly quotesCurved quotation marks
- smart quotesDirectional quotation marks
- closing quotePunctuation ending direct speech
prime · typesetting · glyph · character · baseline · kerning · font
Punctuation framing cited text
- quoteRepeated words from another
- citationMention of a source
- direct speechExact quoted utterance
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
speech marks · scare quotes · air quotes · reported speech · verbatim · excerpt · passage · attribution
Punctuation implying doubt
- so-calledLabeled with skepticism
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
distancing · hedging · tongue-in-cheek · air quotes · dubious · alleged · supposed · mockery
punctuation
Written clarity symbols
- apostropheMark showing ownership
- curly quotesCurved quotation marks
- smart quotesDirectional quotation marks
closing quote · prime · typesetting · glyph · character · baseline · kerning · font
quotation marks
Punctuation framing cited text
- quoteRepeated words from another
- citationMention of a source
- direct speechExact quoted utterance
dialogue · speech marks · scare quotes · air quotes · reported speech · verbatim · excerpt · passage · attribution · block quote
scare quotes
Punctuation implying doubt
skepticism · distancing · hedging · tongue-in-cheek · air quotes · dubious · alleged · supposed · mockery · qualification