inverted comma

Definition

A type of paired quotation mark: ‘ or “ (beginning the quoted material) and ’ or ” (ending it).

Etymology

From the appearance of an inverted comma. In lead type, an opening quote is not a separate casting. It is the result of rotating a comma 180°, inverting the comma. It is used singly or as double quotes. Similarly, the closing quotation mark is the apostrophe. Also used singly or as double quotes.

Example Sentences

• "The paſſage quoted in the text is at the latter part of the following letter, and is put between inverted commas."
• "Some of the papers, with questionable taste, present Mrs. [Alice Roosevelt] Longworth to their readers as the American “Princess.” There is nothing in her ways, bearing, or appearance to warrant the epithet which I give, as printed, in inverted commas."
• "The following paradigm will serve to illustrate what we mean by this term: (37) (a) ‘Will I get a degree?ʼ John wondered (37) (b) John wondered whether he would get a degree (37) (c) John wondered would he get a degree The italicised sequence in (37) (a) is said to be an instance of direct speech: John's exact words are recorded verbatim, and are bounded in the spelling by a question mark and inverted commas; points to note here include the use of the present tense Auxiliary will, the inversion of the Auxiliary, and the use of the first person pronoun I to represent the speaker."