Dear Legal Writer: Punctuation with Quotations

Dear Legal Writer: Put a period or comma INSIDE the ending quotation marks, regardless of whether the period or comma appeared in the original, quoted material.

Scope: U.S. Legal Writing*

Here are two examples.

1️⃣ NO COMMA IN ORIGINAL

Original: “The complaint lacked sufficient facts to survive summary dismissal, but we grant plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint.”

Correct: The court dismissed the complaint because it “lacked sufficient facts,” but the court also granted plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint. ✅

🔸 Note that the comma goes INSIDE the ending quotation marks, even though no comma appeared there in the original.

2️⃣ NO PERIOD IN ORIGINAL

Original: “We vacate and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Correct: The court “remand[ed] for further proceedings.” ✅

🔸 Note that the period goes INSIDE the ending quotation marks, even though no period appeared there in the original.

***
This may trip up writers because it’s done differently elsewhere.*

Fondly,
💌 Amanda

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