Which sentence contains a direct quotation that uses quotation marks?

Which sentence contains a direct quotation that uses quotation marks?

• A. The plan includes a dinner on Friday.
• B. Should Professor Martin meet with us next Thursday?
• C. Jaxter drove the new van from New York City to San Francisco.
• D. Erick stated, "We would like to meet with you sometime next week, and discuss our timeline for completion."

Answer: (D)

Direct quotation is when the exact words spoken are placed inside quotation marks. In this sentence, the speaker’s words are presented exactly as spoken, introduced by a reporting verb (stated), and enclosed in double quotation marks: "We would like to meet with you sometime next week, and discuss our timeline for completion." The period is placed inside the closing quotation mark, which is the standard American punctuation for quotes. The other sentences don’t show someone’s spoken words in quotes, so they don’t demonstrate direct quotation. That’s why this one is the correct choice.

Direct quotation is when the exact words spoken are placed inside quotation marks. In this sentence, the speaker’s words are presented exactly as spoken, introduced by a reporting verb (stated), and enclosed in double quotation marks: "We would like to meet with you sometime next week, and discuss our timeline for completion." The period is placed inside the closing quotation mark, which is the standard American punctuation for quotes.

The other sentences don’t show someone’s spoken words in quotes, so they don’t demonstrate direct quotation. That’s why this one is the correct choice.