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Quote - Unquote
3

Quote - Unquote

Quote - Unquote

(OP)
In the audio media I keep hearing the phrase "quote - unquote" followed by the quoted words.

It would seem to me that the form should be "Quote - words to be quoted - unquote"  for example...Bill Clinton said quote "it depends on what your definition of is is -" unquote.

I'm a picky engineer I know but it just does not sound right.

Any thoughts on the correct use of quote - unquote...

I brace myself for the usual "colorful" responses!!

RE: Quote - Unquote

Boat,

I agree with you.  The "Quote - unquote" thing relies on the speaker's intonation and cadence to indicate the end of the actual quotation.  This could be done just as effectively with:

"... and Clinton said:  'it depends on what your definition of is is'"

RE: Quote - Unquote

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to use "End Quote" instead of unquote? It sounds better to me, at least.

-Mark

RE: Quote - Unquote

Hmm, I always thought it was quote, endquote. *shrug*

That's what I get for not listening closely enough.

RE: Quote - Unquote

And justkeepgiviner seems to have beat me to the punch.

RE: Quote - Unquote

Too bad you couldn't translate the following into speech:

"And then he said, [Clinton]it depends on what your definition of is is[/Clinton].

Ok, lame excuse for humor, sorry.

Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Quote - Unquote

You often hear that format used in commercial media, where there is less of a regard for facts and such.
Often journalists with integrity, will use the format suggested by MintJulep.
It sounds a little more akward, but it helps in delivering accurate news in an audio format.

Mabn

RE: Quote - Unquote

Quote:

In the audio media I keep hearing the phrase "quote - unquote" followed by the quoted words.
Perhaps the media speaker is having a bet each way.
wishes to quote, wishes to unquote..........
Don't quote me though.

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