How to Quote a Quote: Quotation Mark Rules & Examples

Write by Emily Watson

2025-04-30 19:03:23 • 7 min read

Have you ever found yourself tangled in the web of how to quote a quote? It’s a common dilemma—navigating nested citations without losing clarity or credibility. However, mastering this skill isn’t as hard as it seems.

This article breaks down the rules, so you’ll never second-guess nested quotations again. Ready to elevate your writing from messy to meticulous? Let’s dive in.

What Is a Quote Within a Quote?

In academic writing, you might encounter a situation where your source includes a quote from another author. This is known as a quote within a quote or a "nested quotation." It occurs when the original source you're referencing contains another person's quote, and you need to incorporate both quotes into your paper.

For example: Dr. Patel explains, “Recent studies confirm that ‘sleep deprivation harms memory retention.’”

In this example, Dr. Patel's statement is the main quote, while the inner quote—'sleep deprivation harms memory retention'—is attributed to the study. It's important to cite both correctly, acknowledging both Dr. Patel as the secondary source and the study as the original source of the inner quote.

Are Quote and Cite the Same?
No, quoting and citing are not the same, though they are closely related.
Quoting means directly using someone else's words, exactly as they appear in the source, to support your argument or to illustrate a point. When you quote, you reproduce those words in your own writing, typically enclosed in quotation marks.
Example of quoting: “The sun sets in the west.”
Citing refers to the practice of acknowledging the source of the quote. When you cite, such as citing a poem, you're providing details like the author's name, the title of the work, the publication year, and other relevant information, so your readers know where the quoted material originated.
In short, quoting is about presenting someone else’s words directly, while citing is about telling your readers where those words came from.

How to Use Nested Quotations

The use of nested quotations, also called embedded or indirect quotations, can vary depending on whether you’re following American or British English conventions. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Basic Rules for Nested Quotations

✅ Quotation Marks: The inner quote should be enclosed in single quotation marks (‘ ’) in American English, while in British English, the reverse is true. The inner quote is enclosed in double quotation marks (“ ”).

✅ Punctuation (like commas, periods, and question marks) Placement: In American English, punctuation typically goes inside the quotation marks, while in British English, it often stays outside.

Here's a table comparing American English and British English nested quotations with examples to clearly show the difference:

Feature	American English	British English
Outer Quotation	Double quotation marks (" ")	Single quotation marks (' ')
Inner Quotation	Single quotation marks (' ')	Double quotation marks (" ")
Punctuation	Punctuation marks (commas, periods) go inside the quotation marks.	Punctuation marks (commas, periods) typically stay outside the quotation marks.
Example	Dr. Patel explains, “Recent studies confirm that ‘sleep deprivation harms memory retention.’”	Dr. Patel explains, ‘Recent studies confirm that “sleep deprivation harms memory retention.”’

2. How to Quote a Quote Within a Quote (Multiple Layers of Nesting)

In some cases, you might encounter more than two layers of quotes, though it's rare. When there are three layers of nesting, you should alternate between double and single quotation marks for clarity. However, it's important to keep the sentence easy to follow, so try to limit the nesting to no more than three layers.

Suggestion: If you find yourself using more than three layers of nesting, it’s best to either:

Change to an indirect quotation, or
Express the information in two sentences.

✅ Examples of Multiple Layers of Nesting:

Example	American English	British English
Three Layers	Dr. Patel stated, “The study found that ‘John said, “I don’t believe it’s true”’ when asked about the results.”	Dr. Patel stated, ‘The study found that “John said, ‘I don’t believe it’s true’” when asked about the results.’
Explanation	In American English, you alternate between double and single quotes for each nested level.	In British English, you alternate similarly, but with single quotes on the outside.

3. Quoting Quotes Within Dialogue

When quoting someone within a dialogue, you follow similar rules as those for nested quotes in academic or written sources.

In this context, the basic structure remains the same: you use quotation marks to indicate the spoken words, and you manage nested quotes based on the English style (American or British). Pay attention to punctuation, and always make sure the reader can easily distinguish who is quoting whom.

Here’s how it works in American and British English:

Scenario	American English	British English
Quoting someone inside a dialogue	The teacher asked, "Who took the last cookie?" She then added, "Was it you, Jane?"	The teacher asked, 'Who took the last cookie?' She then added, 'Was it you, Jane?'
Nested quotes within dialogue	"He told me, 'I can't find my keys,'" she said.	'He told me, "I can't find my keys,"' she said.
Punctuation in incomplete sentences	"He said, 'I'm not sure,'" but he didn’t elaborate.	'He said, "I'm not sure",' but he didn’t elaborate.

How to Quote a Quote in Academic Writing

When writing academic papers, you’ll sometimes need to cite a quote that already includes another quote.

How you do this depends on the main citation style you're using (APA, MLA, Chicago, or Turabian).

Below is a simple breakdown with examples to help you get it right:

Style	How to Cite Nested Quotes	Example
APA	Use single quotation marks for the inner quote inside double quotes. APA usually prefers you to rephrase (paraphrase) instead of nesting too deeply.	Smith (2020) explained, "The researcher noted, 'The results were surprising'" (p. 45).
MLA	Use single quotation marks inside double quotation marks. Keep it clean and cite page numbers.	Smith argues, "The critic pointed out, 'This play redefined modern drama'" (45).
Chicago (Notes & Bibliography)	Use single quotes inside double quotes. First cite in full in a footnote; shorten if cited again later.	Smith writes, "She shouted, 'Victory is ours today!'"¹
Turabian	Same rule as Chicago. Turabian is a version used mainly for college papers.	Smith claimed, "The captain said, 'We will win this battle.'"¹

APA Tip: APA style usually discourages more than one layer of nested quotes. If possible, paraphrase the inner quote instead of quoting it directly.
General Tip: Avoid too many layers. If a quote inside a quote becomes messy, reword it or break it into two sentences.
Punctuation Tip: Always alternate double and single quotation marks properly, depending on which is the main quote.

How to Place Punctuation When Quoting a Quote

When you quote a quote, punctuation placement matters — and it differs between American and British English. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Rule 1: Periods and Commas

/	American English	British English
Rule	Always place periods and commas inside the quotation marks, even if they aren't part of the original quotation.	Place periods and commas outside the quotation marks, unless they are part of the original quote.
Example 1	Dr. Lewis said, “The study proved that ‘results varied widely.’”	Dr. Lewis said, “The study proved that ‘results varied widely’”.
Example 2	“We call this a ‘critical moment,’” explained the professor.	“We call this a ‘critical moment’”, explained the professor.

Rule 2: Question Marks and Exclamation Points

/	American English	British English
Rule	Place inside the quotation marks if it belongs to the quote; otherwise, outside.	Same rule: inside if it belongs to the quote; outside if it applies to the whole sentence.
Example 1	He asked, “Did she really say, ‘I will win this’?”	He asked, “Did she really say, ‘I will win this’?”
Example 2	He shouted, “Victory is ours!”	He shouted, “Victory is ours!”
Example 3	Did she really say, “The results were disappointing”?	Did she really say, “The results were disappointing”?

Other Important Rules for Handling Quotes

Besides quoting within quotes and punctuation rules, there are a few other key points you must know. These rules help keep your writing smooth, clear, and properly formatted.

1. Short Quotes

A short quote is usually a brief excerpt that fits neatly into your sentence. Different style guides have specific rules about what counts as "short."

Style	Short Quote Definition	How to Format	Example
British English	Less than 40 words	Use single quotation marks, follow normal paragraph flow.	The impact of technology is clear: ‘Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, making the world feel smaller.’
APA	Fewer than 40 words	Use quotation marks and include author, year, page number.	“Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, making the world feel smaller” (Smith, 2020, p. 15).
MLA	Fewer than 4 lines	Use quotation marks, cite author and line/page.	“Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, making the world feel smaller” (Smith 15).
Chicago	Fewer than 100 words	Use quotation marks, include footnote or in-text citation.	“Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, making the world feel smaller.”¹
Turabian	Fewer than 100 words	Use quotation marks, including footnote or in-text citation.	“Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, making the world feel smaller.”¹

2. Long Quotes

Long quotes need a different format. When a quote is too lengthy, you treat it as a "block quote."

Style	Long Quote Definition	How to Format
British English	40+ words	Indent, no quotation marks unless inside dialogue.
APA	40+ words	Block indentation, no quotation marks, cite after the final punctuation.
MLA	4+ lines	Indent one inch, double-space, no quotation marks, cite after punctuation.
Chicago	100+ words	Block format, indent, cite with footnote or endnote.
Turabian	100+ words	Use block format, indent the quote, include footnote or endnote citation.

American English (APA)

Definition: A long quote is typically more than 40 words.
Format: Block format, indented one inch, no quotation marks. Citation comes after punctuation.

Example (More than 40 words):

According to Frost:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
(Frost, 1916, p. 15)

British English (Oxford, etc.)

Definition: A long quote is typically more than 40 words.
Format: Same as APA, but punctuation outside quotation marks if not part of the quote.

Example (More than 40 words):

As Frost reflects:

MLA Style

Definition: A long quote is more than 4 lines of poetry or more than 40 words of prose.
Format: Indented one inch, no quotation marks. Citation comes after punctuation.

Example (More than 40 words):

In The Road Not Taken, Frost writes:

Chicago/Turabian

Definition: A long quote is more than 100 words of prose or more than 40 words of poetry.
Format: Block format, indented, no quotation marks. Citation can be in footnote or endnote.

Example (More than 40 words):

Frost's poem The Road Not Taken eloquently captures a choice in life:

2. Direct Citation vs. Indirect Citation

✅ Direct Citation

This means you use the exact words from the original source, placed inside quotation marks. You must include a citation showing exactly where you found it.

Example: According to Smith, "Education is the foundation of freedom" (Smith, 2020, p. 15).

✅ Indirect Citation (or Paraphrasing)

Instead of quoting exactly, you restate the idea in your own words. Even though you’re not using the original words, you still must cite the source!

Example: Smith argues that education is essential to achieving true freedom (2020).

Aspect	Direct Citation	Indirect Citation
Uses Exact Words?	Yes	No
Quotation Marks?	Yes	No
Still Needs Citation?	Yes	Yes
Style Tip	Use sparingly for emphasis	Use more often for smooth flow

Use direct citations when the original wording is powerful or authoritative.
Use indirect citations when summarizing ideas without needing the exact phrasing.

Can You Shorten or Change a Quote?

Yes, you can both shorten and change quotes in your writing, but you must follow specific rules and guidelines. Below is an explanation of when and how you can shorten or change quotes and the rules for using ellipses and square brackets.

1. How to Shorten a Quote

Shortening a quote allows you to omit parts that are unnecessary, making the quote more concise and relevant to your writing. This is often done when a quote contains irrelevant information or when the quote is too lengthy for your purpose.

Rules:

Ellipses (...) are used to indicate the omission of words from the original quote.
Always ensure that shortening a quote doesn’t change the original meaning. Only omit parts that are irrelevant or non-essential.

Example	Original Quote	Shortened Quote
Example 1:	The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog and then ran away into the forest.	The quick brown fox... ran away into the forest.
Example 2:	She had never seen such an amazing view before, and it made her feel truly alive in a way she hadn’t experienced before.	She had never seen such an amazing view before... and it made her feel truly alive.

2. How to Change a Quote

Changing a quote allows you to adjust certain words for clarity, correction, or grammatical reasons. This is often necessary when the original quote contains awkward phrasing, incorrect grammar, or unclear pronouns.

Rules:

Square brackets [ ] are used to show that you have changed the original quote. This can include adding words for clarity or adjusting the quote’s grammar.
Ensure that any changes made do not alter the original meaning of the quote.

Example	Original Quote	Shortened Quote
Example 1 (Clarifying pronouns):	He didn’t want to go.	[The teacher] didn’t want to go
Example 2 (Correcting grammar):	She don’t understand the concept.	She [doesn't] understand the concept.

3. Summary Table:

Modification	When to Use	How to Use	Example
Ellipses	To omit unnecessary parts of a quote.	Use three dots (…) to remove words without changing meaning.	"The quick brown fox... stopped to catch its breath."
Square Brackets	To add or modify parts of a quote.	Use square brackets [ ] to show changes or clarifications.	"[The teacher] didn't want to go."
Shortened Quote	To make a quote more concise.	Use ellipses to remove non-essential information.	"She had never seen such an amazing view before... it made her feel truly alive."
Changed Quote	To adjust grammar, clarify meaning, or add details.	Use square brackets to indicate any changes made to the quote.	"[The student] didn’t like the outcome."

Conclusion

We’ve covered a lot about quoting quotes, from understanding when and how to use nested quotes to knowing the rules for shortening or changing them.

It might seem a bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll become second nature. So, next time you’re quoting a quote, you’ll know exactly how to do it right!