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Quotation Marks for Sarcasm
Using Quotation Marks for Sarcasm
Quotation marks can be used to show sarcasm. More specifically, they can be used to convey the idea of "so-called," "alleged," or "supposed." When used for this purpose, quotation marks are sometimes referred to as scare quotation marks. For example:- Mark's "beautiful" riverside manor is a dump.
- The wind "knows" when you've unhitched the safety harness.

ICYMI: This young man's tattoo says jenius.
Examples of Quotation Marks for Sarcasm
- 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.
(This means 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.
Examples of Quotation Marks Meaning "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"

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