is this sentence ok?

[jctgf]

"In practical terms, I don't see it working if you can't even say "help me" !".

Hi,
is this sentence OK?
thanks.

 

[susiedqq]

"In practical terms, I don't see it working if you can't even say, 'help me' !"

" Quote marks are placed outside of the entire sentence.
An indirect quote uses a single quote marks ' when it is inside a main quote.
The explanation mark is placed inside the main double quote marks if the main quoted sentence is exclamatory.
Otherwise, it is " . . . even say, 'help me!' "

 

[jctgf]

"In practical terms, I don't see it working if you can't even say, 'help me' !"

" Quote marks are placed outside of the entire sentence.
An indirect quote uses a single quote marks ' when it is inside a main quote.
The explanation mark is placed inside the main double quote marks if the main quoted sentence is exclamatory.
Otherwise, it is " . . . even say, 'help me!' "

Thank you very much. I really didn't know that.
But...what about the sentence itself? Could it be considered good and common English?
Thanks.

 

[susiedqq]

Realistically, I don't see this working if you can't even ask for help.

 

[jctgf]

ok, ok...:-D

but... what about the grammar and the construction?

thanks.:up:

p.s.: this is part of a text in which we discuss the worth of theoretical English versus practical English. some people say that the only thing we need is practical English but I wouldn't go that far.

 

[stuartnz]

"In practical terms, I don't see it working if you can't even say, 'help me' !"

" Quote marks are placed outside of the entire sentence. "

I'm not a teacher, but I think it should be noted that this rule is a feature of American English, not necessarily of other variants. There was an interesting thread on the subject in another logophiles' forum.

 

[susiedqq]

Gramatically, the sentence is OK.

The meaning is akward.

"In practical terms" does not match with the rest of the sentence.

I also don't care for the double negative of the main thought.