Periods and commas are placed inside the quotation marks (i.e., last word." or
last word,"), unless you're writing for a British reading audience (in which case periods and commas are placed outside the quotation marks).
Semicolons and colons are typically placed outside the quotation marks (i.e.,
last word"; or last word":).
Exclamation points and question marks are placed inside the quotation marks
only if they're part of the material being quoted (e.g.,
"Get Out!" she exclaimed. or "Was that really necessary?" he
asked.); otherwise, they belong outside the quotation marks (e.g., It's outrageous that she said "No, thank you"! or
Are you ready to respond more respectfully, with a "Yes, Sir"?)
Placement of Ending Punctuation Inside or Outside Parentheses
When at the end of a sentence you enclose another thought within parentheses, it's sometimes challenging to know where to place your ending punctuation. Notice where the sole period is placed in the following example:
This is a sentence (which you already knew).
Because that parenthetical phrase is not a complete sentence, it deserves no period of its own; instead, the entire phrase is inserted within parentheses
before the period that marks the end of the sentence. (Note also that, for the same reason, the
w in which is not capitalized.)
Now notice where both periods are placed in the following example:
This is a sentence. (You already knew that.)
Because that parenthetical statement is a complete sentence, it is separated from the preceding sentence and given its own ending punctuation inside the parentheses. (Note also that, for the same reason, the
Y in You is capitalized.)
It can be difficult to explain how to punctuate correctly when using the word
however. Therefore, let the following examples be your guide:
However you look at it, she was at fault.
However angry we were over the incident, we forgave her.
[Use of a comma after however would be incorrect.]
However, if you examine the report, you'll see that she was at fault.
If you examine the report, however, you'll see that she was at fault.
[To omit any of the commas in these examples would be incorrect.]
The report implied a sharing of blame; however, she was at fault.
[Use of a comma in place of the semicolon would result in a run-on sentence.]
Use of Commas or Colons with Such As and
Includes/Including
Once again, let's use examples to demonstrate correct punctuation in these instances:
This includes items such as business cards, brochures and flyers.
This includes such items as business cards, brochures and flyers.
[Placing a comma before or after such as or such items as would be
incorrect;
placing a colon after
such as would also be incorrect.]
This includes business cards, brochures and flyers.
[Neither a comma nor a colon should appear after includes.]
She bought several items, including business cards, brochures and flyers.
[Placing a comma or a colon after including would be incorrect.]
Whether you use commas with these words depends on your intended meaning. For example:
The woman who had only one child continued across the sidewalk.
The phrase who had only one child is essential because answers the question, "Which woman continued across the sidewalk?" and thus plays a vital role in the sentence; so
it should not be surrounded by commas. However, look at the next example:
The woman, who had only one child, continued across the sidewalk.
Here, the phrase who had only one child is nonessential (that
is, it could be eliminated and still not change the meaning of the
sentence); thus, it is surrounded by commas.
