Practice Punctuation With Quotation Marks

Explanation
You can use a comma to introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag. Also, it is important to remember to keep the period at the end if the sentence inside the quotations.

Explanation
There are two things wrong with the punctuation with this sentence. First, a comma is required to introduce the quote after a a standard dialogue tag. Second, the period at the end of the sentence should be placed inside the quotation marks.

Explanation
Since the question mark applies to the quotation, you would want to place it inside the quotation marks.

Explanation
When the quotation is part of a larger question but not a question itself, the question mark should be placed outside the quotation marks. The quote "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" is a statement, not a question. Therefore, the question mark that pertains to the entire sentence (asking about the identity of the president) should be placed outside the closing quotation mark.

Corrected Sentence:
Who is the president that said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"?

Explanation
The period at the end of the sentence always goes inside the quotations.

Explanation
When referencing something, make sure to put the period after your reference. So the correct way to punctuate the sentence would be
As stated in the academic report, "Human activities is the main cause of global warming" (33).

Explanation
Colons and semicolons are always placed outside of quotation marks.

Explanation
Make sure to use single quotation marks for quotations within quotations.

Explanation
Colons and semicolons always go outside quotation marks.

Explanation
The comma is necessary to introduce the quote and the period belongs inside the quotation marks.