speech marks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speech marks" is correct and usable in written English, particularly in British English. You can use it when referring to the punctuation marks that indicate direct speech or quotations. An example would be: "She said, 'I love reading,' using speech marks to show her exact words." Alternative expressions include "quotation marks" and "inverted commas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Sarkozy's speech marks the start of a major political week in France.

The Guardian

The entire flow of Beastings changed when I decided to take out speech marks and commas.

The Guardian - Books

(I put that in speech marks because you realise throughout the book what it truly is).

The Guardian

Katie – Is there a reason why your novel does not use any speech marks?

The Guardian

His speech marks the long-awaited rebirth of a radical social democracy in this country.

The Guardian - Opinion

What this looks like on the page is a staccato stream-of-consciousness, without commas or speech marks: "For you.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But it's clear, in retrospect, that this speech marked the beginning of the Trump surge.

The New Yorker

But Monday's speech marked the official start of her election campaign.

The New York Times

This fear inspired his speech marking his anniversary as prime minister.

The Economist

IN A speech marking the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice last month, Saddam Hussein taunted the United States.

The Economist

The speech marked the toughest test the new nominee will face before the debates this fall.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, always ensure that the opening and closing "speech marks" are correctly placed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing "speech marks" outside of other punctuation, such as commas or periods, when they are part of the quoted material. Keep these punctuation marks inside the "speech marks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speech marks" functions as a noun phrase, specifically referring to the punctuation marks used to indicate direct speech or quotations. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage in contexts discussing writing and grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Books

31%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speech marks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, particularly in British English, referring to punctuation used to indicate direct speech or quotations. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news, books, and educational materials. While "quotation marks" is a more universally understood alternative, "speech marks" is perfectly acceptable and clearly understood within its primary context. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage and high frequency of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quotation marks

This is a more common and widely understood term, especially in American English.

inverted commas

This is a British English synonym for quotation marks.

quote marks

A shortened version of quotation marks, maintaining the same meaning.

dialogue punctuation

Focuses on the function of the marks in relation to dialogue.

direct speech indicators

Highlights the role of these marks in indicating direct speech.

quotation punctuation

Specifies the punctuation used for quotations.

conversation marks

Indicates that these marks are used in conversation.

mark of quotation

Emphasizes that these marks represent a quotation.

marks indicating speech

Focuses on the function of the marks to indicate dialogue.

marks for direct quotations

Highlights use for direct quotations rather than indirect references.

FAQs

What is another term for "speech marks"?

An alternative term for "speech marks" is "quotation marks", which is more commonly used in American English. In British English, "inverted commas" is also frequently used.

How do I use "speech marks" correctly in a sentence?

Use "speech marks" to enclose direct quotations or dialogue. For example: She said, "I am going to the store."

Are "speech marks" and quotation marks the same?

Yes, "speech marks" and "quotation marks" are essentially the same thing, referring to the punctuation used to indicate direct speech or quotations.

What is the difference between single and double "speech marks"?

Double "speech marks" are typically used for direct quotations, while single "speech marks" are used for quotations within quotations. For example: He said, "She mentioned, 'I'm ready to go'."