Reading & WritingStandard English ConventionsMedium frequency
SAT Reading & Writing: Punctuation with Quotations
23+ practice questions in Praczo
What you need to know
The concept, explained
- 1
When introducing a quote with a verb like "said" or "stated," use a comma before the quote. (He said, "Let's go.")
- 2
When flowing a quote seamlessly into the syntax of your sentence, DO NOT use a comma. (The review called the movie "a masterpiece of modern cinema.")
- 3
When an independent clause introduces a quote, use a colon. (She gave him one order: "Leave immediately.")
- 4
Commas and periods at the end of a quote always go INSIDE the quotation marks in American English.
Common mistakes
- ✗ Putting a comma before an integrated quote ("The review called the movie, 'a masterpiece.'").
- ✗ Using a colon when the introductory phrase is not a complete sentence.
Try a sample question
SAT-style practice
The historian described the ancient document as _____
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