Related Pages
Quotation Marks for "Alleged" or "So-called"
Use Quotation Marks to Denote "So-Called" or "Alleged"
Quotation marks can be used to denote the idea of "so-called," "alleged," or "supposed."
ICYMI: This young man's tattoo says jenius.

Examples of Quotation Marks for "So-Called" or "Alleged"
- Peter's "mates" left him on the path to die.
- Using his father's equipment, Alexander found over 50,000 bacteria on a "clean" chopping
board.
(so-called clean)
- The sheep were noticeably stressed. It must've been a very big "cat."

The word "rescue" is in quotation marks to show it's not a genuine rescue.
Use Quotation Marks to Denote "Not Literally"
Quotation marks can also be used to recognize when a word is not being used in its literal sense. This happens quite often with metaphors, particularly personification (i.e., giving something a human trait). For example:- The waves "know" when you're about to stand up on the board.
Just Say It Once
When quotation marks are used to indicate "alleged" or "so-called," there is no need to use these actual words.- Peter's so-called "mates" left him on the path to freeze.
- Peter's so-called mates left him on the path to freeze.
- Peter's "mates" left him on the path to freeze.
Don't Use Quotation Marks for Emphasis
If you use quotation marks for emphasis, they might be read as meaning "alleged" or "so-called." For example:- We sell "fresh" fish.

"clean"

Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?