1. burlwood

    burlwood New Member

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    Quoting something someone else --might-- say.

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by burlwood, Oct 15, 2015.

    In the following example:

    "Always the same with you Nancy, 'Clean up after yourself, ya dirty old fool--blah blah blah--If this place isn't spick-and-span by tonight...' I'm just sick of you bossing me around!"

    How would I punctuate what the main character's mimicry of what Nancy might say. Would I use single quotes as I've done there? Italics? Something else?

    Thanks.
     
  2. Lea`Brooks

    Lea`Brooks Contributor Contributor

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    I think either would work. I'd do what you did though because it's more than one sentence. Too many italics can hurt the eyes.
     
  3. burlwood

    burlwood New Member

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    If I didn't have the "blah blah blah" in there, would it be clear--using single quotes--that it was something Nancy might say, as opposed to something she absolutely said. This is what confuses me.
     
  4. Lea`Brooks

    Lea`Brooks Contributor Contributor

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    Oh absolutely. It'd still be clear without the blah's using single quotes.
     
  5. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

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    Single quotes is the way to go.
     
  6. Aaron DC

    Aaron DC Contributor Contributor

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    +1 to single quotes
     
  7. burlwood

    burlwood New Member

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    OK then, good enough for me. Thanks.
     
  8. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    What I don't like here is the comma after Nancy. It's not technically a comma splice, because "Always the same with you, Nancy" isn't technically a sentence. (It works because it's dialogue, and the "It's" is implied.) It does read like one, though, and the comma seems awkward. I'd keep all the quote marks as you have them, but I'd put a period/full stop after Nancy.

    In essence, there are three sentences here. I'd punctuate them as such.

    "Always the same with you Nancy. 'Clean up after yourself, ya dirty old fool--blah blah blah--If this place isn't spick-and-span by tonight....' I'm just sick of you bossing me around!"
     

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