GMAT Verbal › Correcting Quotation Mark Errors
It's true, he said. "We have to leave". Otherwise, we'll be "in trouble."
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
"It's true," he said. "We have to leave. Otherwise, we'll be in trouble."
It's true, he said. "We have to leave". Otherwise, we'll be "in trouble."
"It's true", he said. "We have to leave." Otherwise, we'll be 'in trouble.'
"It's true, he said. We have to leave. Otherwise, we'll be in trouble."
"It's true," he said. "We have to leave." Otherwise, we'll be "in trouble."
Punctuation should always go on the inside of quotation marks. Compare the following two sentences:
"We have to leave".
"We have to leave."
The second sentence is correct.
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
The poem The Road Not Taken is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems.
The poem "The Road Not Taken" is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems.
The poem The Road Not Taken is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems.
The poem "The Road Not Taken" is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems.
The poem The Road Not Taken, is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems.
The poem The Road Not Taken is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems.
This sentence contains a quotation error. Stories, poems, and excerpts (along with other forms of media) should have quotes around them. Unlike books, they are not underlined/italicized. The correct answer is, "The poem "The Road Not Taken" is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems."
The "Road Not Taken" was first published in 1916.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
He bought a new book, "Brave New World," to read in his free time.
He bought a new book, Brave New World, to read in his free time.
He bought a new book, "Brave New World," to read in his free time.
He bought a new book, Brave New World, to read in his free time.
He bought a new book, "Brave New World," to read in his free time.
He bought a new book, Brave "New" World, to read in his free time.
This sentence contains a misuse of quotation marks. The words "Brave New World" is an example of the title of a book (written by Aldous Huxley in 1932), which should either be italicized or underlined. The correct answer is, "He bought a new book, Brave New World, to read in his free time."
'It's time to go,' he said. "The store is about to close."
Which answer best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?
"It's time to go," he said.
'It's time to go,' he said.
'It's time to go' he said.
"It's time to go" he said.
"It's time to go, he said."
When writing or reading dialogue, the spoken line should always end with a comma before the action words; furthermore, single quotes should only be used for quotes within other quotes. In normal cases, use double quotes.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Kendra's pair of "Nunn Bush" shoes arrived in the mail today.
Nunn Bush shoes arrived in the mail today.
"Nunn Bush" shoes arrived in the mail today.
Nunn Bush, shoes arrived in the mail today.
Nunn Bush shoes, arrived in the mail today.
"Nunn Bush" shoes, arrived in the mail today.
This sentence misuses commas. It is clear that the words "Nunn Bush" is supposed to be the brand name of the shoes. Brand names are never put in quotations and no additional punctuation is necessary. The correct choice is, "Nunn Bush shoes arrived in the mail today."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Jacob 'studied' for his History test by watching movies set in the time period the test would cover.
Jacob "studied" for his History test by watching movies
Jacob 'studied' for his History test by watching movies
Jacob studied for his History test by watching movies
Jacob "studied" for his History test, by watching movies
Jacob "studied" for: his History test by watching movies
This sentence misuses quotation marks. Single quotation marks are only used when quoting something within a quotation. It is clear that quotation marks are necessary here in order to indicate that Jacob is not actually studying, but just watching movies, but no other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "Jacob "studied" for his History test by watching movies."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Michael asked if "Sandra would be attending the party."
if Sandra would be attending the party.
if "Sandra would be attending the party."
if "Sandra, would be attending the party."
if Sandra, would be attending the party.
if, "Sandra would be attending the party."
This sentence contains a misuse of quotation marks. The phrase "if Sandra would be attending the party" is not a direct quote from Michael. Instead, it is an indirect question being phrased in the form of a sentence. Only direct quotations deserve quotation marks, so no punctuation is needed; the correct answer choice is, "if Sandra would be attending the party."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Mark said, "Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." "
"Confucius said, 'When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.' "
"Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." "
Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."
Confucius said, When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
'Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." '
This sentence misuses quotation marks. What we have is a quotation within another direct quote. Quotation marks should surround both "Confucius...steps" and "When...steps." The difference, however, is that, since "When...steps" is within the quotation "Confucius...steps," single quotation marks should be used for this quote. Note that single quotation marks only appear within another quotation. The correct choice is, " "Confucius said, 'When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.' " "
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Pablo Picasso once said, 'Action is the foundational key to all success.'
once said, "Action is the foundational key to all success."
once said, 'Action is the foundational key to all success.'
once said, action is the foundational key to all success.
once said action is the foundational key to all success.
once said 'Action is the foundational key to all success.'
This sentence uses the wrong type of quotation marks. Single quotation marks should only be used when the thing being quoted appears within another quotation. Since this is a regular quotation, double quotation marks should be used. The correct choice is, "once said, "Action is the foundational key to all success." "
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Michelle and her friends loved listening to the song Hey Jude.
her friends loved listening to the song "Hey Jude."
her friends loved listening to the song Hey Jude.
her friends loved listening to the song, "Hey Jude."
her friends loved listening to the song "Hey Jude".
her friends loved listening to the song: Hey Jude.
This sentence does not contain quotation marks where necessary: song titles should always be surrounded by quotation marks. Note that you should not add a comma before the song title and that ending punctuation (in this case, the period) should always be on the inside of quotation marks. The correct choice is, "her friends loved listening to the song "Hey Jude." "