Definition: Quotation marks are usually a pair of symbols used at the beginning and end of text that is quoted word for word, dialogue (such as in a book), and around the titles of some short works. The specific style of quotation mark varies by language or country. Single quotes refers to a style of quotation mark that looks like a comma or an apostrophe but may be reversed or inverted. Even in languages that use other styles of punctuation marks (such as angular quotes), single quotes are often used to set apart quotes within quotes.
Informally, such as in emails and on the Web, the same character may be used for an apostrophe and for both the open and closed single quotes ('). On a standard QWERTY keyboard it is the key between the semi-colon and Enter key. Shifted, it produces double quotes. In typeset material, curly quotes are the professional standard. One glyph is used for the apostrophe and the closed single quote (’) while another is used for the open single quote (‘). These may be described as looking a bit like tiny 6 and 9.
- On a Mac, use Option+] and Shift+Option+] for the left (open) and right (closed) single quotes: ‘ ’.
- For Windows, use ALT 0145 and ALT 0146 for the left and right single quotes (hold down the ALT key and type the numbers on the numeric keypad).
Also Known As: typewriter single quotes | prime | dumb quotes
