So, you’re staring down a sentence from a book that spans pages 42 through 45, and MLA is giving you the side-eye. Fear not, my quoting comrade. It’s way easier than trying to fold a fitted sheet. Let’s turn this grammar gremlin into your new best friend.
The Golden Rule of Multiple Pages
When you quote from two or more pages in a row, you don’t write all those numbers out like a math problem. You use a hyphen for inclusive page ranges. Think of it as a tiny bridge connecting the start and end of your source material.
But wait—what about page numbers like 100-104? Or 215-219? There’s a handy little trick to keep your citation clean. You only keep the last two digits of the second number if the first two digits are the same. So, pages 100-104 becomes 100-04. See? The 1 and 0 are the same in both numbers, so you drop the “1” and the “0” in the second number.
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For 215-219, it’s 215-19. You keep the first two digits (21) the same, but only show the last two digits (19) for the end. It’s like giving your citation a little haircut—shorter, but still perfectly styled.
What If the Pages Don’t Match?
Hold on—what if you’re quoting from page 399 and then page 402? The first two digits change (39 vs. 40). In that case, you write out the full second number: 399-402. No shortcuts when the numbers are having a family feud. Just write them both out clearly.
Another rule: never use the word “to” in an MLA parenthetical citation. You might be tempted to write (Smith 120 to 125), but MLA says, “Nope, that’s for your essay text, not your citation.” Use the hyphen. It’s the MLA version of a secret handshake.
How Do You Actually Punctuate It?
Let’s say your quote ends on page 45, and you’ve cited pages 42-45. The citation goes in parentheses at the end of the sentence, before the period. Like this: “The author argued that pickles are a breakfast food” (Jones 42-45). The period comes after the closing parenthesis.
If you mention the author’s name in your sentence (a signal phrase), you only need the page numbers in parentheses. For example: “Jones passionately declared that pickles are a breakfast food (42-45).” That’s it—no comma, no extra fluff. Just author, space, numbers.
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If the quote is longer than four lines, you’ll need a block quote—indented one inch from the left margin, no quotation marks. In that case, the citation goes after the period of the last sentence. Example: “Pickles… are the future of brunch.” (Jones 42-45) —note the period before the citation. It’s a rare exception, so don’t use it for short quotes.
What If You’re Quoting Non-Consecutive Pages?
Sometimes you quote from page 42 and then page 45, but you skip 43 and 44. MLA says to use a comma between the page numbers. So you’d write (Jones 42, 45). It’s like saying, “I visited these two spots, but I took the scenic route and skipped the middle.”
If you’re quoting from three non-consecutive pages, it’s (Jones 42, 45, 47). No hyphens unless there’s a direct range. A comma means “I jumped around.” A hyphen means “I read it all in one go.” You’re the DJ of your citation, mixing tracks as you please.
What About Online Sources with No Page Numbers?
If the source is a website or PDF without printed page numbers, you don’t make up page numbers. Instead, use paragraph numbers (if they exist) with the abbreviation “par.” or “pars.” Example: (Smith, par. 5). Or use section headings: (Smith, “Introduction”). No page numbers? No problem—you’re off the hook.
For PDFs that have stable page numbers, treat them like a printed book. Use the hyphen rules above. If the PDF has Roman numerals for the preface, use those: (Jones iv-vii). MLA loves consistency, even when the numbers are fancy.
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One Last Weird Rule: The Word “Page”
Never write “page” or “p.” in a parenthetical citation. Just the number. “p.” is for a single page only, but who uses that in multiple-page citations? You’re playing in the big leagues now with ranges. The abbreviation “pp.” (for multiple pages) is also not used in parenthetical citations—only in your Works Cited list.
Example: In-text citation: (Williams 88-91). Works Cited: pp. 88-91. See the difference? The parenthetical is a minimalist beast; the Works Cited is where you show off the details. Don’t mix them up, or MLA spirits will haunt your bibliography.
Practice Makes Perfect… and a Little Fun
Let’s test your new superpower. Your quote is from pages 221 to 228. What do you write? That’s right: 221-28. You kept the first two digits (22) and only showed the last two of the second number (28). Gold star for you!
Now try a tricky one: pages 1102 to 1115. Since the first three digits are the same (110), you do 1102-15. But if the jump is 1099 to 1105, write the whole thing: 1099-1105. The first three digits change (109 vs. 110), so no shortcut. You’re officially an MLA page-range ninja.
Smile, You’re Done!
You’ve just learned how to quote multiple pages in MLA—a skill that makes you look brilliant, meticulous, and slightly magical. No more guessing or leaving your citation half-finished. You can now handle hyphen ranges, comma-separated jumps, and even Roman numerals without breaking a sweat.
So go forth, dear quote-whisperer. Cite those epic spans of pages with confidence. And remember: every time you use a perfect hyphen in (Smith 101-06), a tiny MLA fairy gets its wings. Your paper will sparkle, your professor will nod approvingly, and you’ll never have to worry about “pp.” again. You’ve got this—now go make your citations legendary!