Quotation marks

Quotation marks should be used with care. Poorly used quotation marks can make text harder to read and understand.

Use single quotes (') when you:

• refer to terms, words or phrases
• have a quote within a quote
• refer to a publication that isn't linked
• use an unusual term for the first time

Use double quotes (") when you quote someone directly.

Use a colon when introducing a quotation and start the quotation with a capital letter. In long passages of speech, use a double quote to open each paragraph, but only use one to close the final paragraph. For example:

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: "It is great to see that Bristol has been recognised for its forward-thinking approach to housing.

"The development at Chalks Road is a prime example of how using modern methods of construction can provide affordable first homes for low-income young people."