Quote:
Originally Posted by mikapanja
@ JSWolf
I believe this should cover it, but it will replace all the quotes, both in dialogues and outside them, except those that are part of a contraction. Of course, the book must have proper punctuation to begin with.
1) Replace opening single curly quotes with opening double curly quotes
Search:
Replace:
2) Replace closing single curly quotes with closing double curly quotes (two passes)
Search: ([.|
|,|:|;|?|!|\-||])
Replace: \1
Search: ([ |.|
|,|:|;|?|!|\-||])
Replace: \1
Some of the combinations are unlikely to be found, but I guess better an overkill than missed instances 
|
Two passes on closing quotes are only required if punctuation is sometimes inside e.g
This is the end of the sentence. and other times outside e.g.
This is the end of the sentence.; having both in the same text would be an exception, probably an error.
When converting single to double or visa versa one needs to be careful not to 'spoil' 6' 3" (Imperial length) 20' 15" (Time) and 33° 52' 34" S, 151° 13' 24" E (Geolocation).
And I've never seen an automated straight to curly that preserves the straight quotes on measurements. Shouldn't be too hard, if preceded by a digit leave it alone. Depends on the font, but to my eyes line B looks wrong.
A - 6' 3" (Imperial length) 20' 15" (Time) and 33° 52' 34" S, 151° 13' 24" E
B - 6 3 (Imperial length) 20 15 (Time) and 33° 52 34 S, 151° 13 24 E
I might start using « » on dialogue instead of
BR