Quotation Marks – With the Words “Yes” and “No”
- With the Words “Yes” and “No”
(a.) Do not quote the words “yes” and “no” unless they are the exact words spoken.
Examples:
Please answer the question yes or no.
That question requires more than a yes-or-no answer.
Don’t say no until you have heard everything I have to say.
I would have to answer that question by saying “Yes and no.”
(NOTE: When quoting the words “yes” and “no,” capitalize them if they represent a complete sentence.)
When asked if she would relocate, Marie thought for a moment; then, without any hint of emotion, she said “Yes.”
(NOTE: In the last example, the quotation marks imply that Marie said precisely this much and no more. The use or omission of a comma after the word “said” in this type of construction is a matter of personal preference.)