There are a variety of synonyms for the term "quotation mark", including inverted commas, speech marks, quotes, and dialogue marks. The term inverted commas is commonly used in British English, while speech marks and quotes are more commonly used in American English. These punctuation marks are used to indicate direct speech or a quotation within a text. They come in two types, single and double, and are usually placed around the quoted text. Proper usage of quotation marks is important to ensure clarity in writing and avoid confusion for the reader. No matter what they are called, quotation marks play an essential role in written communication.