Correct position of comma

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Be assured that all of these events will occur. There is no doubt about the written evidence [in the sutra] of, “peace and security in this lifetime.”

In British English, should it be “peace and security in this lifetime”. (the full stop after the quotation marks)?

Thanks.

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2

Use a comma before a quote, so that is right.

The period should be outside the quote. It should only be inside the quote if the original quoted text contained a period.

There is no doubt about the written evidence [in the sutra] of, “peace and security in this lifetime”.

John said, “I went to the store yesterday.”
John said, “I went to the store yesterday.”.

I’ve learned that both of the above are acceptable. Personally I do it the first way, without adding an additional period outside the quote. If the quoted text ends with a question mark, then the period outside the quote is needed.

John asked, “Should I go to the store tomorrow?”.

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3

I’d say punctuations like the period or the question mark or the exclamation mark should be within the quotation marks because they form part of the original speech as in the following:

  • Abraham said, “Peace and security are essential to life.”
  • John said, “What do you mean by peace and security?”
  • Williams said, “How important peace and security are!”
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