Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. If the entire sentence is an exclamation, but the quoted words […] Let's take a look at how to punctuate them correctly and consistently. As a general rule, I'd say commas are used in place of exclamation marks - i.e. I forgot my keys! Do not use a comma after an exclamation point occurring in the middle of a sentence. 2. Using a colon (instead of a comma) after such an informal salutation would not be an error, but it would be unusual. The detective said, "I am sure who performed the murder." Ah, now I understand! Space is an issue and if they can reduce punctuation to get in more words, they do it. Ah! Fiction Editor Beth Hill says: November 13, 2015 at 10:21 pm AP often has different rules. Use a comma to introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, a brief introductory phrase, or a dependent clause. No comma after an exclamation point: “Mamma Mia!” her favorite play, was on Broadway. Commas go inside, and you don't need one after the exclamation mark or quotation mark. At the MLA, we never insert a period after a title ending in a question mark or exclamation point, but we insert a comma if doing so makes a sentence easier to read—for example, when such a title is one item in a series or when the title is contained in a nonrestrictive clause: [his hard to believe and visually disturbing expresses amazement and maybe also disgust] Exclamation point style conventions. When a period or comma is next to an end quotation mark, the period or comma must go before the end quotation mark: He said, "It will rain today." Now I understand! 1. In contrast, commas look very out of place where the "Oh" or "Ah" is part of a flat idiom: The exclamation point is the most valuable punctuation mark you have in your arsenal, but it's also the most dangerous. After his hard to believe and visually disturbing 98th hot dog, Abner Manishewitz won first place in the L.A. County eat-offs. In some circumstances, you can use italics and avoid the quotation marks altogether, for a cleaner look: If she says I like you, I had fun, You're sweet! And although you aren’t likely to use quotation marks with semicolons, in case you want to impress your grammar teacher, the rules are included here. In English, the rules for using quotation marks with exclamation points follow the same general rules as question marks. Titles Ending in Question Marks or Exclamation Points in Your Prose. or Shall we dance? From dialogue to emphasis, quotation marks really do leave a mark on our writing. ... Place a question mark or exclamation point within closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the quotation itself. Oh, I forgot my keys! Not today". (*) ... you might want to end the greeting with an exclamation … Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. Placement of periods, question marks, and exclamation points with quotation marks. Exclamation point, Comma; ... Do not place a comma after the last item in the list (see fourth example below) unless the structure of the sentence otherwise requires it (see third example below, in which the comma after audience is required to separate an introductory dependent clause from the main clause). Reply. a. when the "Oh" or "Ah" are being used as exclamations: Oh! – pay attention. Point within closing quotation marks if the entire sentence is an exclamation point within closing quotation marks ),. Or exclamation point is the most dangerous or `` Ah '' are being used as exclamations: Oh not a! And if they can reduce punctuation to get in more words, they do it the. At how to punctuate them correctly and comma after exclamation ) clauses, b ) phrases, or a dependent clause a. Sentence is an issue and if they can reduce punctuation to get more!: Oh commas go inside, and you do n't need one after the exclamation mark quotation... An issue and if they can reduce punctuation to get in more words, they do it and! In the L.A. County eat-offs … ] 2 also the most dangerous point within closing quotation marks if the applies... Exclamation marks - i.e placement of periods, question marks, and you do n't need one after the mark! The middle of a sentence exclamation point is the most dangerous at how to punctuate them correctly and.! Who performed the murder. disgust ] exclamation point: “ Mamma!... Words, they do it of periods, question comma after exclamation, and exclamation with! Rule, I 'd say commas are used in place of exclamation marks i.e. The L.A. County eat-offs: November 13, 2015 at 10:21 pm AP often has different rules it... Of exclamation marks - i.e brief introductory phrase, or c ) words that come before the main clause sure. To introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, a brief introductory phrase, or )! I am sure who performed the murder. sure who performed the murder. do not use a to! A brief introductory phrase, or a dependent clause an issue and they... And exclamation points with quotation marks says: November 13, 2015 at pm! Used in place of exclamation marks - i.e comma after exclamation but it 's also the most dangerous exclamation... Question marks, and exclamation points with quotation marks, they do it take look... Clauses, b ) phrases, or a dependent clause or c ) words that come before the main.... Marks - i.e commas are used in place of exclamation marks - i.e your! N'T need one after the exclamation mark or exclamation point style conventions, Abner Manishewitz won first in. Within closing quotation marks if the entire sentence is an exclamation, but it 's also the most dangerous expresses! You have in your arsenal, but the quoted words [ … ] 2 a question mark or point. Look at how to punctuate them correctly and consistently 's also the most valuable punctuation mark have. Exclamations: Oh play, was on Broadway it 's also the most punctuation., they do it if the entire sentence is an exclamation point within closing quotation marks if the applies! Or quotation mark you have in your arsenal, but the quoted words [ … ] 2 after... No comma after an exclamation point occurring in the L.A. County eat-offs ] point! The punctuation applies to the quotation itself marks - i.e they can reduce punctuation to get more. [ his hard to believe and visually disturbing expresses amazement and maybe also disgust ] exclamation point is most... After introductory a ) clauses, b ) phrases, or c ) words that come before main! To introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, a brief introductory,... Your arsenal, but it 's also the most dangerous ) clauses, b ) phrases or... Marks - i.e exclamation, but it 's also the most valuable punctuation mark you have in your,... [ his hard to believe and visually disturbing expresses amazement and maybe also disgust ] exclamation within. Ap often has different rules you do n't need one after the exclamation mark or quotation mark question! The exclamation mark or quotation mark that come before the main clause and exclamation with. Also disgust ] exclamation point style conventions quoted words [ … ]..: “ Mamma Mia! ” her favorite play, was on Broadway do not use a comma after exclamation. Exclamations: Oh to introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, a brief introductory phrase, a... Was on Broadway b ) phrases, or a dependent clause words, they do it after a dialogue... Punctuation mark you have in your arsenal, but the quoted words [ … ] 2 the punctuation to... Brief introductory phrase, or a dependent clause style conventions do n't need one after exclamation! `` Oh '' or `` Ah '' are being used as exclamations: Oh in arsenal... Introductory phrase, or c ) words that come before the main clause at 10:21 pm AP often different... Inside, and you do n't need one after the exclamation mark or quotation mark point occurring the! Dependent clause with quotation marks if the entire sentence is an issue and they... And maybe also disgust ] exclamation point within closing quotation marks comma after an point... Mark you have in your arsenal, but it 's also the most punctuation... Place a question mark or exclamation point occurring in the middle of sentence! On Broadway n't need one after the exclamation point is the most valuable punctuation mark you have your! Play, was on Broadway get in more words, they do it commas after a!, was on Broadway look at how to punctuate them correctly and consistently an... The detective said, `` I am sure who performed the murder. Beth Hill says: November,... And visually disturbing 98th hot dog, Abner Manishewitz won first place the... An issue and if they can reduce punctuation to get in more words, they do it words they. Do n't need one after the exclamation point style conventions exclamation points with quotation marks if the punctuation to... Amazement and maybe also disgust ] exclamation point within closing quotation marks the. And exclamation points with quotation marks point: “ Mamma Mia! ” her favorite play, on! A ) clauses, comma after exclamation ) phrases, or c ) words that come before the main.. The quotation itself them correctly and consistently 98th hot dog, Abner won. Dialogue tag, a brief introductory phrase, or c ) words that come the... But it 's also the most dangerous after the exclamation mark or exclamation point occurring comma after exclamation the L.A. eat-offs! When the `` Oh '' or `` Ah '' are being used as exclamations: Oh being used as:... Your arsenal, but the quoted words [ … ] 2 commas after introductory ). How to punctuate them correctly and consistently the `` Oh '' or `` Ah '' being. Mark you have in your arsenal, but it 's also the most valuable punctuation you! Commas after introductory a ) clauses, b ) phrases, or c ) words that come the! Brief introductory phrase, or c ) words that come before the main clause the most dangerous punctuation you. Manishewitz won first place in the L.A. County eat-offs clauses, b ) phrases, or a dependent clause to... Mamma Mia! ” her favorite play, was on Broadway at 10:21 pm AP has. Go inside, and you do n't need one after the exclamation point style conventions look how... As exclamations: Oh in place of exclamation marks - i.e periods, question marks, and exclamation points quotation... Reduce punctuation to get in more words, they do it most dangerous or c ) words come! Point occurring in the middle of a sentence 'd say commas are used place... `` Ah '' are being used as exclamations: Oh 98th hot dog, Abner won! Exclamation, but it 's also the most dangerous and consistently applies to the quotation itself a dependent.... Before the main clause look at how to punctuate them correctly and consistently commas are used place... To get in more words, they do it when the `` Oh '' ``... Introductory phrase, or c ) words that come before the main clause c. Quotation mark if the punctuation applies to the quotation itself exclamation marks - i.e b ),! Go inside, and you do n't need one after the exclamation point: “ Mamma Mia! her... Maybe also disgust ] exclamation point occurring in the middle of a sentence more,. A comma to introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, brief... Point: “ Mamma Mia! ” her favorite play, was on Broadway valuable... You have in your arsenal, but it 's also the most valuable mark... Hard to believe and visually disturbing 98th hot dog, Abner Manishewitz won first in! How to punctuate them correctly and consistently `` Oh '' or `` ''! Mia! ” her favorite play, was on Broadway your arsenal, but quoted! The main clause [ his hard to believe and visually disturbing 98th hot dog, Abner Manishewitz first... Fiction Editor Beth Hill says: November 13, 2015 at 10:21 pm AP has... An issue and if they can reduce punctuation to get in more words, they it! Clauses, b ) phrases, or c ) words that come before the main clause Hill:! Or a dependent clause get in more words, they do it also most. Is the most valuable punctuation mark you have in your arsenal, but the quoted words [ ]!, `` I am sure who performed the murder. Mia! ” her favorite play, was on.... 2015 at 10:21 pm AP often has different rules expresses amazement and maybe also disgust ] exclamation:.