Unquote vs Enquote: Do These Mean The Same? How To Use Them

When it comes to quoting someone, it’s important to use the correct terminology. Two words that often get mixed up are unquote and enquote. So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer is both, depending on the context.

Unquote is used to indicate the end of a quotation. Enquote, on the other hand, is used to indicate the beginning of a quotation. Essentially, unquote means “that’s the end of the quote,” while enquote means “this is the beginning of the quote.”

Throughout this article, we’ll explore the differences between unquote and enquote, and why it’s important to use them correctly.

Define Unquote

Unquote is a term used to indicate the end of a quotation or the conclusion of a statement that was previously quoted. It is often represented by the symbol ” (closing quotation mark) and is commonly used in written communication, such as articles, books, and academic papers. Unquote is also known as end quote or close quote.

Define Enquote

Enquote, on the other hand, is a term used to indicate the beginning of a quotation or the introduction of a statement that is being quoted. It is often represented by the symbol ” (opening quotation mark) and is also commonly used in written communication. Enquote is also known as start quote or open quote.

Here is a table summarizing the differences between unquote and enquote:

Term	Symbol	Usage
Unquote	“	Indicates the end of a quotation or statement that was previously quoted
Enquote	“	Indicates the beginning of a quotation or the introduction of a statement that is being quoted

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the words ‘unquote’ and ‘enquote’ can be tricky, especially for those who are not familiar with their proper usage. In this section, we will discuss how to use these words correctly in a sentence.

How To Use ‘Unquote’ In A Sentence

The word ‘unquote’ is commonly used to indicate the end of a quotation. It is often used to emphasize the speaker’s intention to convey a direct quote. Here are some examples of how to use ‘unquote’ in a sentence:

• John said, “I will be there at 3 pm, unquote.”
• She stated, “The company is experiencing financial difficulties, unquote.”

As you can see from the examples, ‘unquote’ is used to signal the end of the quoted text. It is important to note that ‘unquote’ is often used in spoken language, but it is not necessary in written language. Instead, writers typically use quotation marks to indicate the beginning and end of a quote.

How To Use ‘Enquote’ In A Sentence

The word ‘enquote’ is less commonly used than ‘unquote.’ It is used to indicate the beginning of a quotation. Here are some examples of how to use ‘enquote’ in a sentence:

• The article begins with the sentence, “In his book, the author states, enquote.”
• She said, “The report highlights the importance of teamwork, enquote.”

As you can see, ‘enquote’ is used to signal the beginning of a quote. Similar to ‘unquote,’ it is not necessary in written language, as quotation marks are used to indicate the beginning and end of a quote.

More Examples Of Unquote & Enquote Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use “unquote” and “enquote” in a sentence.

Examples Of Using Unquote In A Sentence

• She said, “I will be there at 5 pm, unquote.”
• The witness stated, “I saw the suspect leaving the scene of the crime, unquote.”
• He said, “The company’s profits are expected to rise by 20% this quarter, unquote.”
• The speaker emphasized, “We need to work together to achieve our goals, unquote.”
• She remarked, “The movie was a complete waste of time, unquote.”
• He stated, “The new product will be available in stores next month, unquote.”
• The politician said, “We need to address climate change as soon as possible, unquote.”
• The teacher reminded the class, “The final exam is next week, unquote.”
• The coach said, “We need to focus on our defense, unquote.”
• The doctor advised, “You need to get more exercise, unquote.”

Examples Of Using Enquote In A Sentence

• She said, “I will be there at 5 pm,” enquoted the message.
• The witness stated, “I saw the suspect leaving the scene of the crime,” enquoted the testimony.
• He said, “The company’s profits are expected to rise by 20% this quarter,” enquoted the report.
• The speaker emphasized, “We need to work together to achieve our goals,” enquoted the speech.
• She remarked, “The movie was a complete waste of time,” enquoted the review.
• He stated, “The new product will be available in stores next month,” enquoted the announcement.
• The politician said, “We need to address climate change as soon as possible,” enquoted the statement.
• The teacher reminded the class, “The final exam is next week,” enquoted the reminder.
• The coach said, “We need to focus on our defense,” enquoted the instruction.
• The doctor advised, “You need to get more exercise,” enquoted the recommendation.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using quotation marks in writing, it’s important to understand the difference between unquote and enquote. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of using these terms interchangeably, which can lead to confusion and errors in their writing. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Unquote” Instead Of “End Quote”

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “unquote” instead of “end quote” to indicate the end of a quotation. While “unquote” may seem like the logical opposite of “quote,” it is not the correct term to use in this context. “End quote” is the proper way to indicate the end of a quotation.

For example:

• Incorrect: “I love pizza,” said John unquote.
• Correct: “I love pizza,” said John end quote.

Using “Enquote” Instead Of “Quote”

Another common mistake is using “enquote” instead of “quote” to indicate the beginning of a quotation. While “enquote” may sound more formal or sophisticated, it is not a commonly used term in English. “Quote” is the standard term to use when introducing a quotation.

For example:

• Incorrect: Mary said, “enquote I’m not feeling well, unquote.”
• Correct: Mary said, “quote I’m not feeling well, end quote.”

Not Using Quotation Marks At All

One of the biggest mistakes people make when using quotations is not using quotation marks at all. It’s important to always use quotation marks when quoting someone or something directly. Failure to do so can lead to plagiarism or misrepresentation of the original source.

For example:

• Incorrect: The president said he was “very happy” with the results.
• Correct: The president said, “I am very happy with the results.”

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to be mindful of the correct terminology and usage of quotation marks. Here are some tips:

• Always use “end quote” to indicate the end of a quotation.
• Use “quote” to introduce a quotation.
• Remember to always use quotation marks when quoting someone or something directly.
• Proofread your writing to ensure proper usage of quotation marks.

Context Matters

When it comes to using quotation marks in writing, the choice between “unquote” and “enquote” can depend on the context in which they are used. While both terms are often used interchangeably, there are situations where one may be more appropriate than the other.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts where the choice between unquote and enquote might change:

1. Journalism

Journalists often use quotation marks to indicate when someone is speaking or to highlight a specific phrase or sentence. In this context, the term “unquote” is commonly used to signal the end of a quotation. For example:

“We are committed to providing our customers with the highest level of service,” said the company spokesperson. “We will continue to work tirelessly to meet their needs and exceed their expectations, unquote.”

Here, the use of “unquote” is appropriate because it signals the end of the spokesperson’s quote and indicates that the journalist is now speaking again.

2. Academic Writing

In academic writing, quotation marks are often used to indicate when a source is being directly quoted. In this context, the term “enquote” is sometimes used instead of “quote” to indicate that the words being used are not the author’s own. For example:

According to Smith (2010), “the use of technology in the classroom has the potential to enhance student learning, but only if used appropriately and with clear learning objectives in mind,” enquote.

Here, the use of “enquote” is appropriate because it signals to the reader that the words being used are not the author’s own and are instead a direct quote from Smith’s work.

3. Creative Writing

In creative writing, quotation marks can be used in a variety of ways to indicate dialogue, inner thoughts, or even to create a sense of irony or sarcasm. In this context, the choice between unquote and enquote may depend on the author’s stylistic preferences. For example:

“I can’t believe you just said that,” she said, enquote. “You know how much it means to me.”

Here, the use of “enquote” is appropriate because it signals the end of the character’s quote and indicates that the author is now describing the character’s actions or thoughts.

Overall, the choice between unquote and enquote can depend on the context in which they are used. By understanding the different contexts and how the choice between the two terms might change, writers can ensure that their use of quotation marks is clear and appropriate for the situation.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using unquote and enquote are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they may not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Quoting Within A Quote

When you need to include a quote within a quote, you can use either unquote or enquote to indicate the outer quote, and then use the opposite to indicate the inner quote. For example:

As John said, I am very happy.

In this case, enquote is used to indicate the outer quote, and unquote is used to indicate the inner quote.

2. Quoting Titles

When you are quoting the title of a work, such as a book or a movie, you can use either unquote or enquote. However, it is common practice to use italics instead, especially in formal writing. For example:

• The Great Gatsby is a classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• The Godfather is a famous movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
• The Catcher in the Rye is a novel by J.D. Salinger.

3. Quoting Single Words Or Phrases

When you are quoting a single word or a short phrase, you can use either unquote or enquote, but it is not necessary. In fact, it is common practice to use quotation marks instead, especially in informal writing. For example:

• Eureka! he exclaimed.
• Carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means “seize the day”.
• “To be or not to be, that is the question,” said Hamlet.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of unquote and enquote is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you better grasp the concepts:

Exercise 1:

Insert the appropriate punctuation (unquote or enquote) in the following sentences:

1. The speaker said, I will be back soon.
2. The article read, The new technology will revolutionize the industry.
3. She asked, What time is it?
4. He exclaimed, This is amazing!

Answer key:

1. The speaker said, “I will be back soon.”
2. The article read, “The new technology will revolutionize the industry.”
3. She asked, “What time is it?”
4. He exclaimed, “This is amazing!”

Exercise 2:

Write a sentence using unquote and a sentence using enquote to demonstrate your understanding of the two terms.

Answer:

• Unquote: The witness said, I saw the suspect leaving the scene.
• Enquote: The headline read, “Local business owner wins award”.

By practicing these exercises, you can become more confident in your ability to use unquote and enquote correctly in your writing.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between unquote and enquote, it is clear that these terms have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in written communication. Unquote is used to indicate the end of a quotation, while enquote is used to indicate the beginning of a quotation. It is important to use these terms correctly to avoid confusion and maintain clarity in your writing.

When using these terms, it is also important to consider your audience and the context in which you are writing. In formal writing, such as academic papers or professional emails, it is generally best to use unquote and enquote to maintain a professional tone and adhere to standard grammar conventions. However, in more informal settings, such as social media or text messaging, it may be acceptable to use alternative phrases or omit these terms altogether.

Overall, understanding the nuances of grammar and language use is essential for effective communication. By continuing to learn and improve your writing skills, you can enhance your ability to convey ideas and connect with others.