When typing, where should the closing quotation mark be placed in relation to a period or comma?

The correct placement of the closing quotation mark in relation to a period or comma follows a specific convention that is important for clarity and adherence to grammatical standards. The closing quotation mark should be placed before the period or comma. This structure maintains the integrity of the quoted material and properly indicates the end of the quotation.

For instance, when you have a sentence that includes a quote, such as: "The sky is blue", it is clear that the sentence is concluding with the period placed after the closing quotation mark. This keeps the quotation intact as a single cohesive unit, making it obvious that the quote is a distinct part of the statement, and it adheres to common styles of punctuation in English grammar.

This convention helps avoid ambiguity for the reader and contributes to a smooth reading experience. Misplacing the quotation mark can lead to confusion about where a quotation ends and where the sentence's punctuation begins. Therefore, placing the closing quotation mark before the period or comma is the accepted practice in most writing styles.