SINGLE QUOTES: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES, USES AND EXAMPLES - LITERATURE - 2025

Single quotation marks (´… ´) are spelling signs that are used at the beginning and end of a word or a text and that serve several functions. Among its main functions is to signify that what appears between them is a verbatim quote from what was said or written by someone else.

Now, single quotes belong to a group of spelling signs called double signs. Such a name comes from the fact that they are used in pairs. One of the two elements "opens" and the other "closes" to frame the text or word that you want to differentiate from the rest of the writing.

Like all types of double signs, single quotes can also be used, among other uses, to denote an improper, vulgar, ironic word or expression, or a term from another language. The expression “Lately she's only doing her 'business'” exemplifies one of these uses mentioned.

Regarding the format, single quotes are written at the top and attached to the first and last word of the expression to be quoted.

They must be separated with a blank space from the words or signs that precede or follow them. In the case where what follows is a punctuation mark, no space is left between the two.

Characteristics of single quotes

Origin

The single quotes come from an old angle sign. This sign is known by the name of diple (<>). The diple dates from the 16th century and was used to make margin notes on writings to draw attention to a part of the text.

Delimiter sign

Single quotation marks introduce and delimit a second speech. This second speech is inserted in the first with a purpose defined by the author and fulfills the purpose of enriching the writing.

Geographical scope

Depending on the language, alphabet, or particular region where quotation marks are used, employment preferences may exist. Single quotes, for example, are more widely used in the UK than in other countries.

IT field

On computer keyboards, the sign for single quotes is found on the apostrophe key. This key is shared by the question mark. This layout of the keys is inherited from the old typewriters.

Types

In addition to single quotes, these types of signs can also be chevrons or double quotes. All of them have basically the same function but different rules of use.

Angular, Latin, Spanish, or French quotation marks

Latin quotation marks are represented by the double typographic sign «». Despite being considered typical of the Spanish language, they are not as widely used in Hispanic American texts. Its use is more frequent in European writings.

Double or English quotes

Double or English quotation marks consist of two oblique lines, in the shape of a hook, which are written at the beginning and at the end of the part of the text that you want to highlight. Its typographic representation is "" "".

Single quotes

In the case of the simple ones, these are differentiated by being simple oblique lines arranged at the top of the ends of the expression in quotes. Typographically they are represented as follows: ''.

Uses and examples

general

In the order of precedence of use, single quotes are third and last. For this reason, they are also known as third-level quotes.

According to the RAE rules, when quotation marks, the Spanish or angular must be used as the first option. As a second option, double or English quotes are preferred.

Appointment within another appointment

The most common use of single quotes is when you are quoting someone within a quote. This format is very common in a wide variety of documents, including books, interviews, and newspaper articles.

For example: I heard José say “Juan went to the store and ran into Alejandra. When he saw her, he said, 'I hope we'll see you at the party next Friday.'

Quote within a title

In cases where a title or heading includes a citation, single quotation marks are used for that second piece of information in place of italics. In general, this format is used when the headline refers to someone's opinion.

Examples of this use can be found in headlines such as Protesters chanting 'No more high taxes!', The president says 'Don't worry America' or also headlines like Heroic Mother says 'I did it for my children'.

Specialized words

Similarly, in the cases of specialized words belonging to specific disciplines, the use of single quotes is very frequent. For example, in philosophy and theology, you can see these cases in words like 'a priori', 'encouragement' and 'libertas'.

Clarification of meanings

When the meaning of a word is clarified, it must be enclosed in single quotes. The following example categorically illustrates the rule: "Spying" ('stalking') does not mean the same as 'atonement' for faults.

In the same way this other example illustrates the meaning of the rule: The word "family" means "of the family."

Frame meanings

On the other hand, single quotes are used to frame meanings in works of a linguistic nature (research works on the Spanish language).

The following example sufficiently clarifies the application of this rule: The word beekeeping is formed from the Latin terms apis 'bee' and culture 'cultivation, breeding'.

Combination with other signs

Punctuation marks for quoted text are always placed after the closing quotation mark. For example, this is seen in expressions like: His words were: 'I will not', but in the end it helped us or Did he really say 'never before'?

On the other hand, it must be taken into account that the texts that go inside the quotation marks have an independent punctuation. These carry their own spelling signs.

Consequently, if the statement in quotation marks is interrogative or exclamatory, the question marks and exclamation marks must be written within the quotation marks.

The expression “He asked the janitor, 'Where are the bathrooms, please?' is an example of what was said in the previous paragraph. In the same way it is: 'I am looking forward to the holidays!', He exclaimed.

References

1. Terrones Juárez, S. (2013, April 29). The quotation marks and their uses. Taken from
2. udep.edu.pe.
3. Royal Spanish Academy. (2005). Pan-Hispanic Dictionary of Doubts. Taken from lema.rae.es.
4. RAE-ASALE 2010. (s / f). Spelling of the Spanish language. Taken from aplica.rae.es
5. Cáceres Ramírez, O. (2016, April 01). Angular quotation marks («»), English («») and single. Taken from aboutespanol.com.
6. Your dictionary. (s / f). Rules For Using Single Quotation Marks. Taken from grammar.yourdictionary.com.
7. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana online. (s / f). Use of quotation marks. Taken from uamenlinea.uam.mx.