How to Quote a Quote: A Simple Guide to Using and Citing Quotes the Right Way

Ever come across a quote within a quote and wondered how to write it correctly? You’re not alone. Quoting can be tricky—especially when you’re trying to quote something that already includes another quote. That’s where many people get confused and ask: How do you quote a quote?

In this friendly and easy-to-follow guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about quoting. You’ll learn what a quote is, how to quote a quote the right way, and how to cite quotes using different styles. Whether you’re a student, writer, blogger, or just someone who wants to write better, this article is for you.how to quote a quote

What Is a Quote?

Let’s start with the basics: what exactly is a quote?

A quote is when you use someone else’s exact words in your own writing. Quotes are usually marked with quotation marks (“ ”) and often include the name of the person who said or wrote the words.how to quote a quote

People quote others to:

Back up their opinions or ideas
Share something inspiring or meaningful
Highlight important points
Give credit to original thinkers or writers

Quotes are powerful because they connect your writing to real voices, thoughts, and experiences.how to quote a quote

What Does It Mean to Quote?

To quote someone means to repeat their exact words—word-for-word—and make it clear that those words aren’t yours. This is called direct quoting.how to quote a quote

Quoting is used in all kinds of writing: academic papers, articles, blog posts, books, and even social media captions. It’s a simple but effective way to:

Strengthen your point
Show respect for the original source
Let the reader know where the idea came from

How to Quote a Quote (Yes, That’s a Thing!)

Now comes the fun part—how to quote a quote.

Imagine you’re reading a book, and in that book, someone is quoting another person. If you want to use that entire sentence in your writing, you’ll be quoting a quote.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say the original sentence from a book is:

Sarah said, “I remember when Dad told me, ‘Never give up on your dreams.’”

If you want to include this in your own writing, you would write:

Sarah said, “I remember when Dad told me, ‘Never give up on your dreams.’”

This is called a nested quote—a quote inside another quote.

Rules to Remember:

Use double quotation marks (“ ”) for the main quote.
Use single quotation marks (‘ ’) for the quote within the quote.
Keep punctuation inside the quotation marks.

If you’re writing in American English, this format works perfectly.

How Do You Quote a Quote in Different Styles?how to quote a quote

Depending on where you’re from or what writing style you’re using, the rules might change slightly.

🇺🇸 American English:

Double quotes for the main quote
Single quotes inside

Example:
“She said, ‘This is the best day ever,’ and smiled.”

🇬🇧 British English:

Single quotes for the main quote
Double quotes inside

Example:
‘She said, “This is the best day ever,” and smiled.’

Just make sure you stay consistent with one style throughout your writing.

How to Cite a Quote Properly

Using a quote is one thing. Citing the source is another—and it’s just as important.

When you cite a quote, you’re giving credit to the person or source where the quote came from. This avoids plagiarism and builds trust with your readers.

Here’s how to cite a quote in the most common citation styles:

1. APA Style (used in psychology, education, and social sciences)

Format: (Author, Year, p. Page Number)
Example:
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal.” (Winston, 2020, p. 15)

2. MLA Style (used in humanities)

Format: (Author Last Name Page Number)
Example:
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal.” (Winston 15)

3. Chicago Style (used in history and some business writing)

Uses footnotes or endnotes
Example:
¹ Winston Churchill, Lessons in Leadership (New York: History Press, 2020), 15.

4. Harvard Style

Format: (Author Year, Page)
Example:
(Winston 2020, p. 15)

No matter the style, always include the author’s name, the year of publication, and the page number (if available).

When Should You Use a Quote?

Quoting is useful, but it should be done with purpose. Here are good times to use a quote:

✅ The original words are powerful or famous
✅ You want to support your point with evidence
✅ You’re analyzing or discussing what someone said
✅ The quote expresses something better than you could

Avoid overloading your content with quotes. They should support your ideas—not replace them.how to quote a quote

Best Practices for Quoting Like a Pro

Want to level up your quoting game? Follow these best practices:

✅ Always Introduce the Quote

Let readers know who’s speaking.

Example:
Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

✅ Use the Right Punctuation

Commas, periods, question marks—they all have their place. Typically, punctuation goes inside the quotation marks (in American English).

✅ Keep It Accurate

Never change someone’s words when quoting directly.

✅ Keep It Short

Only quote what you really need. Long quotes can make writing dull.

✅ Add Your Own Voice

After quoting, explain what it means or why it matters. Don’t just drop a quote and move on.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Quoting a Quote

Even experienced writers make mistakes when quoting. Here’s what to watch out for:

❌ Using the wrong quotation marks
❌ Forgetting to cite the source
❌ Not making it clear who is being quoted
❌ Quoting too much and not adding original thoughts
❌ Misquoting or changing the words

Using Quotes in Blog Posts and Content Writing

If you’re writing blogs or web content, quotes can really bring your words to life.

How to Use Quotes in Content:

Start your article with a strong quote
Use a quote as a headline or subheading
Support your message with expert quotes
Add reader testimonials as quotes
Include motivational or famous quotes for impact

Example:

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

That’s a great quote to open a productivity or motivation article.how to quote a quote

Why Are Quotes So Effective?

People love quotes for a reason—they’re short, memorable, and full of meaning. Whether it’s a line from a speech or a snippet from a book, quotes stick with us.

They help:

Make your writing more relatable
Add emotional depth
Show that you’ve done your research
Inspire or motivate your audience

So the next time you come across a quote that moves you, consider using it in your writing (and don’t forget to cite it!).

Final Thoughts: Quoting Made Easy

Quoting might seem complicated at first, especially when you’re trying to figure out how to quote a quote—but it’s really not. Once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to use quotes confidently and correctly.

Let’s wrap it up with a quick recap:

✅ What is a quote?

Someone else’s exact words used in your writing.

✅ What does it mean to quote?

To repeat those words while giving credit.

✅ How do you quote a quote?

Use double quotation marks for the first quote, and single marks for the quote inside.

✅ How do you cite a quote?

Use the correct citation style—APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard.

When done right, quoting adds personality, power, and proof to your writing. So go ahead—use quotes like a pro and make your content shine.how to quote a quote