"A" vs "An" ....grammar trivia

[Taz_Zoee]

I was going through some stuff of John's and came across an old article from Mac World that explains about the various signs on the keyboard and how to use them right. It seems that most of us are using " for quotation marks, but that is wrong. This is used for inch! A quotation mark is: ” “
Graphic Designers often use the French one » « for aestaetic? reasons.

However, on a Forum like this, I don't really care which is used, but it's nice to know, in case you need it professionally.

I understand about the directions of the quotation marks when writing, and that's how I do it. But on my keyboard there is only one " straight up and down.

I have another question about quotation marks. I always use ". When (or would you ever) use ' as quotation marks??

[Gracefulsarah]

I understand about the directions of the quotation marks when writing, and that's how I do it. But on my keyboard there is only one " straight up and down.

I have another question about quotation marks. I always use ". When (or would you ever) use ' as quotation marks??

You would use ' when quoting someone who was quoting someone else. For example:

Billy said "That guy was really angry and he yelled 'Get out!' then he ran down the street."

[Randi]

I take it you're using a Windows machine? There are lots of different options for using signs etc., depending on what keyboard you have. On mine Alt+Shift+K = this one ˝.
Try various combinations to see what you have!

[Taz_Zoee]

You would use ' when quoting someone who was quoting someone else. For example:

Billy said "That guy was really angry and he yelled 'Get out!' then he ran down the street."

Oh yeah, now I remember that rule. I have been out of school for too long.

I take it you're using a Windows machine? There are lots of different options for using signs etc., depending on what keyboard you have. On mine Alt+Shift+K = this one ˝.
Try various combinations to see what you have!

Testing: Alt+Shift+K does nothing for me. So I guess I just have a lame computer/keyboard. Oh well. Everyone gets the idea even if I use the straight " ones. LOL

[Randi]

You can also use the Font drop-down to see what symbols are available in all those special "weird" fonts that come with Windows, like Wingdings etc.

[smokey the elder]

The expression "an historic" bugs the heck out of me. You pronounce the "h", so the consonent rule applies.

[RedHedd]

You can make Word use "smart quotes" (right and left facing sets as appropriate) by changing your options. You have to dig to get to it, but once you set it, it will make nice pretty curly appostrophes and quotation marks every time. The only time it gets confuzzled is if you make edits.

[Catty1]

Actually, I HAVE heard "an historic" used in speech, without the H - usually, it is for a more formal event, even on a newscast. The launching of the Titanic was an event that could have been described that way.

[Suki Wingy]

I have another question about quotation marks. I always use ". When (or would you ever) use ' as quotation marks??

It is also correct in British writing, I believe.