# When loved ones use quotation marks as emphasis **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 31, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351 "2008-12-31T14:10:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/1 "2008-12-31T14:10:20Z")
My sister just used quotation marks as emphasis in an email. I am shocked and saddened. She has a masters’ degree in education. It’s not like she typoed ‘teh’ for ‘the’, she’s jumped directly to the nasty stuff. She’s only in her early 30’s… she’s way too young for this. What do you suggest for an intervention? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/2 "2008-12-31T14:28:31Z")
Lots of laughing & pointing. Nothing motivates behavior change like shame. And as an educator, she will surely recognize the tactic. Yes, I’m kidding, but only a little. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/3 "2008-12-31T14:35:42Z")
Maybe I’m being whooshed…what does using “quotation marks as emphasis” mean? I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/4 "2008-12-31T14:45:48Z")
[“explanation”](http://alt-usage-english.org/quotes_for_emphasis.html) [“examples”](http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/5 "2008-12-31T15:05:59Z")
Oh! I’ve never noticed this much. I would read it as exactly opposite of what was intended, I suppose–i.e., _Local Politician Photographed in Motel with “Wife.”_ Which I’m sure is exactly your point. Ignorance fought, much appreciated, carry on! ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/6 "2008-12-31T15:07:13Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > What do you suggest for an intervention? Send her the links **Cosmic Relief** just provided with the explanation “I’d hate for someone to laugh at you because of this.” Explain that grown-ups use (in decreasing order of preference) italic, underlining, bold, or in a plaintext environment _asterisks_ for emphasis. Then laugh your ass off at her the next time she does it with the explanation “I warned you this could happen.” ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/7 "2008-12-31T15:09:46Z")
What’s even worse… in many cases of quotation emphasis, the emphasis is placed on the wrong word, or is not even necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/8 "2008-12-31T15:41:31Z")
Every time I see quotation marks as emphasis, I feel the overwhelming “urge” to “beat” the author in the “face,” and by “beat” I mean “punch,” by “face” I mean “crotch,” and by “urge” I mean “urge.” Were it me, I’d respond with a little something like this: > [@](#): > > Hi! > > It’s so “nice” to hear from again. I hope you’re “well,” and I’d “like” to discuss this more over “coffee” some time. Please let me know if you’re “available” and we’ll schedule a “meeting” so we can “talk.” > > “Love,” > Cosmic Relief But then, I tend to be a sarcastic asshole sometimes, so YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/9 "2008-12-31T16:25:08Z")
> [@Mindfield](#): > > Every time I see quotation marks as emphasis, I feel the overwhelming “urge” to “beat” the author in the “face,” and by “beat” I mean “punch,” by “face” I mean “crotch,” and by “urge” I mean “urge.” > > Were it me, I’d respond with a little something like this: > > But then, I tend to be a sarcastic asshole sometimes, so YMMV. Oh, you’re never sarcastic! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/10 "2008-12-31T16:29:35Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Oh, you’re never sarcastic! 😉 Okay, now you’re just confusing me. I can’t figure out if there are supposed to be quotation marks in there or not because the context this thread has taken on makes _everything_ ambiguous. YOU BROKE ENGLISH. Oh, wait, I see the little wink there. “:D” ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/11 "2008-12-31T18:01:04Z")
So when is it appropriate to use quotes? I would use quotes on something like “family values”, only because the term is ambiguous, and I want the reader to know that what I’m saying may not be what you think it means, and that it is open to interpretation. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/12 "2008-12-31T18:19:32Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > So when is it appropriate to use quotes? I would use quotes on something like “family values”, only because the term is ambiguous, and I want the reader to know that what I’m saying may not be what you think it means, and that it is open to interpretation. Oh, absolutely. That’s an appropriate place. The problem with the OP’s sister is that she’s using quotation marks as a substitute for underlining, bolding, italics, even asterisks which are a common method of indicating emphasis. It makes one read the E-mail as if the quote-enclosed words are intended sarcastically or otherwise with questioning about what the word actually means. It’s like looking at a seafood market that has a sign proclaiming: > [@](#): > > “Fresh” Fish or a restaurant’s menu reading as: > [@](#): > > Today’s “Specials” You wonder exactly how fresh the fish is, or how special those dishes really are! ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/13 "2008-12-31T19:03:41Z")
I find that a shovel to the back of the unsuspecting victim’s head is a good deterrent for any future misbehaviour. This sort of misuse of quotation marks is well within the range of crimes against humanity that merit such a response, IMO. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/14 "2008-12-31T19:07:24Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > So when is it appropriate to use quotes? I would use quotes on something like “family values”, only because the term is ambiguous, and I want the reader to know that what I’m saying may not be what you think it means, and that it is open to interpretation. Those are [scare quotes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scare_quotes). Whole different thing. ---
**Author:** ![Spacegirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Spacegirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spacegirl)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/15 "2008-12-31T19:53:50Z")
I used to work at a clinic and we would receive refill requests from pharmacies. The faxes that were sent to us would have the instructions on them for the docs to verify. There was one pharmacy (I can’t even remember which) that always put the patient’s name in quotes. Give “Jennifer” 1 tab every morning. After 5 days, give “Jennifer” 2 tabs every morning. Why put the name in quotes? It’s her real name! If you want to say give “Jenny” 1 tab every morning, that’s understandable. It says her full name at the top of the script, we know Jennifer is the patient, it doesn’t need to be exaggerated with unnecessary quotation marks. Hmm…I seem to have gotten a little irritated while I was “typing” this post. ETA: Oh, I don’t consider the pharmacy a loved one, but they are usually quite nice. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/16 "2008-12-31T19:57:58Z")
My mother does this. When asked why, she said because she likes how it looks. After pointing out how it’s perceived (because she does it with my name and it makes it look like she’s saying I’m not really me), she just laughed it off. It was then suggested that there are other things used for emphasis, like asterisks, she responded that she doesn’t like those as well. At that point, there ain’t much else to do but shrug and move on. ---
**Author:** ![Agonist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@Agonist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agonist)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/17 "2008-12-31T20:46:23Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Oh, absolutely. That’s an appropriate place. The problem with the OP’s sister is that she’s using quotation marks as a substitute for underlining, bolding, italics, even asterisks which are a common method of indicating emphasis. It makes one read the E-mail as if the quote-enclosed words are intended sarcastically or otherwise with questioning about what the word actually means. It’s like looking at a seafood market that has a sign proclaiming: > > or a restaurant’s menu reading as: > > You wonder exactly how fresh the fish is, or how special those dishes really are! Is it time to add our real life examples to laugh at? Because my supermarket really does have a sign that says: Sushi “fresh” daily ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/18 "2008-12-31T21:17:57Z")
> [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](#): > > I find that a shovel to the back of the unsuspecting victim’s head is a good deterrent for any future misbehaviour. This sort of misuse of quotation marks is well within the range of crimes against humanity that merit such a response, IMO. 🙂 > [@faithfool](#): > > My mother does this. When asked why, she said because she likes how it looks. After pointing out how it’s perceived (because she does it with my name and it makes it look like she’s saying I’m not really me), she just laughed it off. It was then suggested that there are other things used for emphasis, like asterisks, she responded that she doesn’t like those as well. At that point, there ain’t much else to do but shrug and move on. Shrug? Or shovel? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/19 "2008-12-31T21:53:56Z")
Oh if you only had the pleasure to meet my lovely mom, you’d definitely know that a shovel is the preferred method of dealing with her. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-loved-ones-use-quotation-marks-as-emphasis/479351/20 "2008-12-31T21:56:03Z")
“Maybe” “she’s” “practicing” “writing” “entries” for “Zagat” “guidebooks”.