Inside Quotes Punctuation Rule

This rule enforces a common typographical convention where certain punctuation marks (periods, commas, and question marks) should be placed inside quotation marks rather than outside them. This convention is standard in American English and helps maintain consistency and readability in written content.

The proper placement of punctuation in relation to quotation marks is a subtle but important aspect of professional writing. Incorrect placement can make text appear unprofessional and can indicate inconsistent adherence to style guidelines.

Examples:

❌ Incorrect (will be flagged):

• He said "hello".
• She called it a "game changing solution",
• Did you hear about the "new policy"?

✓ Correct:

• He said "hello."
• She called it a "game changing solution."
• Did you hear about the "new policy?"

The rule works with both single and double quotes, catching instances where periods, commas, or question marks are incorrectly placed outside the closing quotation mark.