proper usage of quotes and periods?

[Ichinisan]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
My understanding is that the proper usage of quotes is that if the quoted text is at the end of a sentence the period comes before the quote mark.

For example:
Bob said "I like grammar." <- Correct
Bob said "I like grammar". <- Incorrect

But, this leads to a problem. Quotes aren't only used to denote speech, they are also used to denote text that should be entered exactly as quoted.

For example, if I need to give a user their password, I'll do something like this:

Your password is "password"

But, to be grammatically correct that sentence should have a period at the end.

Your password is "password." <- grammatically correct, but gives the person the wrong password if they actually enter what is in quotes

Your password is "password". <- feels wrong, but the quote correctly indicates the actual password



So, is it acceptable grammar to put the period after the quote in cases like this? Is there a better way to give the same type of information?

I ask myself this question every day at work. I have to send exactly that sort of email...daily.

 

[skace]

I could've sworn I was taught that I could use the punctuation inside or outside the quotes if ending a sentence and both were grammatically correct. Apparently, I was taught wrong? The only rule that I recall is that the punctuation shouldn't be redundant. (IE: .".)

 

[Allanv]

None of it is English... American maybe complete shit YES

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Allanv
None of it is English... American maybe complete shit YES

So you post on average once every three days and this is it? are you serious?

 

[Allanv]

I will post if the content is clear and not done by some 14 year old Yank without a clue of what the world really holds for you.

and yes i am serious, look fella forget punctuation forget grammar the world will kill you if you think that the way people spell is the worst that can happen.

I see racist threads that are created by 10 year olds come on get a clue get out and about find out what happens in your neighborhood and your country.

I suppose i am too old to be on this forum and its full of kids without a clue but its still for now a free world so i will stay.....

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Strunk and White, "The Elements of Style".
<damn, I am old>

I'm 20. Strunk and White FTMFW!

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
What if I'm posing a question about a statement?

Example:

Why did Holmes say "Brilliant!"?

How does that work? "Brilliant" is an exclamation, but I'm asking a question.

Why did Holmes say "Brilliant?" makes it sound like I'm not only asking a question, but that Holmes was also questioning something.

Your example is an exception to the rule. If the punctuation needed to convey the meaning, then it is maintained.

In your case - Why did Holmes say, "Brilliant!"? - would be correct.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Allanv
I will post if the content is clear and not done by some 14 year old Yank without a clue of what the world really holds for you.

and yes i am serious, look fella forget punctuation forget grammar the world will kill you if you think that the way people spell is the worst that can happen.

I see racist threads that are created by 10 year olds come on get a clue get out and about find out what happens in your neighborhood and your country.

I suppose i am too old to be on this forum and its full of kids without a clue but its still for now a free world so i will stay.....

Your lack of grammar and helpful punctuation in your post above is both a challenge and an inspiration to all those who hold high the twin banners of egalitarian mediocrity and Valley Girl "whateverness".

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
Who emails passwords anyway? I always verbally give out passwords...and its always something that they have to change right away on their own.

I agree, it's terribly insecure. Some of the people never even change the password from the default. It's not something I can change though

 

[LongCoolMother]

I often wonder the exact same thing. I just put the period outside, though I have no idea whether that's correct, since I've always been taught in school that periods go inside the quotes.