Grammar Question

[Gesh]

In a case like this:

Muley Graves is a stain on a shirt because he cannot be forced out of his land, and by being there he keeps the land from being “clean”; however his presence will eventually fade away and have little impact.

Would I put the semicolon before or after the end quotation mark? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

[Rob]

I always have trouble deciding doing what LOOKS/FEELS right with what IS right when it comes to quotation marks and punctuation. Here, check this out:

www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/quotes.asp

[Gesh]

Well, based on that I suppose I should assume the semicolon goes inside the quotes. However, nothing on that page said anything about semicolons and was referring specifically to periods, commas, and question marks, so I'll wait for another reply or something. But thank you! I'll move my semicolon to the inside for now.

[Rob]

Ah, yeah, didn't read precisely what was there and I assumed things. Here, check these out, too:

www.kentlaw.edu/academics/lrw/grinker/LwtaQuotation_Marks.htm
englishplus.com/grammar/00000105.htm

Note: Typed "quotation marks and punctuation" in one Google search and "quotation marks and semicolons" in another.

[Gesh]

That was very helpful. Thank you!