TeXipedia

lq

Represents a left single quotation mark (opening quote) in text mode, providing proper typographical formatting.

Overview

Serves as a typographically correct alternative to using a standard keyboard quote mark, ensuring professional-quality document formatting.

  • Commonly used in formal writing and academic documents where proper quotation marks are essential.
  • Pairs naturally with \rq for complete quotations.
  • Part of LaTeX's comprehensive text-mode punctuation system.
  • Particularly important when writing in languages or styles that require distinct opening and closing quotation marks.

Examples

Using single quotation mark in regular text.

Theword‘colour‘ isspelleddifferentlyinBritishEnglish.The word `colour\lq\ is spelled differently in British English. 
The word `colour\lq\ is spelled differently in British English.

Demonstrating nested quotation marks.

Hesaid,‘Iheardherwhisper‘hello′′He said, \lq{}I heard her whisper \lq{}hello\rq{}\rq{} 
He said, \lq{}I heard her whisper \lq{}hello\rq{}\rq{}

Showing text with mixed quotation styles.

The‘quickbrownfox′isacommontypingexercise.The \lq{}quick brown fox\rq{} is a common typing exercise. 
The \lq{}quick brown fox\rq{} is a common typing exercise.