Single Quotes
Single quotation marks can be primary quotation marks in some style systems and nested quotation marks in others. Australian Government style, for example, uses single marks for most direct speech and double marks inside them.
Use single quotation marks according to the governing style guide; their role as primary or nested quotation marks is style-dependent.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Do not convert all single quotation marks to double marks, or vice versa, without checking the document’s style guide; titles, definitions, dialogue, and nested quotations may have specific rules.
Further guidance
Application
Follow the governing style guide consistently. Australian Government style uses single quotation marks for ordinary direct speech and quoted material, with double quotation marks for quotations inside quotations.
Core Rule
Single quotation marks are not governed by one universal English rule: their primary-versus-nested role depends on the style system and regional convention.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Quotation marks — Australian Government Style Manual (opens in a new tab)Australian Government · Official style guidance using single quotation marks as the primary quotation marks and double marks for quotations within quotations.