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What are some examples of Americanisms that can be avoided when using quotation marks in Australian English

In Australian English, use single quotation marks for primary quotes and place punctuation outside, unlike American English which uses double quotes and places punctuation inside. Avoid double quotes for emphasis, opting for italics instead.

How to avoid using Americanisms when using Australian quotation marks
How to avoid using Americanisms when using Australian quotation marks

When using quotation marks in Australian English, it’s important to avoid certain Americanisms to adhere to local conventions. Here are some examples of Americanisms related to the use of quotation marks that should be avoided:

  1. Using Double Quotation Marks for Primary Quotations: In Australian English, single quotation marks are used for primary quotations, whereas American English typically uses double quotation marks. For example, an American might write “She said, ‘Hello,'” but in Australian English, it should be ‘She said, “Hello”‘[1].
  2. Placement of Punctuation Inside Quotation Marks: In American English, punctuation such as commas and full stops are usually placed inside the quotation marks. However, in Australian English, these punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks unless the quoted material itself is a complete sentence. For instance, American English would format it as “She said, ‘Hello,'” whereas Australian English would format it as ‘She said, “Hello”,'[1].
  3. Using Double Quotation Marks for Emphasis: In American English, it’s common to use double quotation marks to emphasize a word or phrase. This practice should be avoided in Australian English, where emphasis is typically conveyed through italics or single quotation marks if necessary[1][4].

By avoiding these Americanisms, writers can ensure their use of quotation marks aligns with Australian English standards, maintaining clarity and consistency in their writing.

Citations:


[1] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/
[2] https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84365609.pdf
[3] https://www.abc.net.au/education/interesting-words-and-americanisms-in-our-language/13953302
[4] https://www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2010/nov/26/americanisms-english-mind-your-language
[5] https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8274467/clear-as-math-what-counts-as-proper-australian-english/
[6] https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2613124
[7] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/let-every-new-word-bloom-20110812-1iqtx.html
[8] https://archive.atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=140294.30