Do periods go inside or outside quotation marks?

The placement of periods in relation to quotation marks depends on the style guide you are following. Here’s a general overview of the two main conventions:

1. American English (most common in the U.S.): Periods (and commas) always go inside the quotation marks, regardless of whether they are part of the original quote.
   • Example: She said, “I’ll be there soon.”
2. British English (commonly used in the UK and other Commonwealth countries): Periods (and commas) only go inside the quotation marks if they are part of the original quoted material. Otherwise, they are placed outside.
   • Example: She said, “I’ll be there soon”.
     (If the period isn’t part of the quote, it would go outside the quotation marks.)

Summary:

• In American English, periods are inside quotation marks.
• In British English, periods are inside only if they are part of the original quote, otherwise, they are outside.