> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://freebsdfrau.gitbook.io/serious-shell-programming/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://freebsdfrau.gitbook.io/serious-shell-programming/basics/strings/single-quotes.md).

# Single-Quotes

When shell encounters a single-quote (`'`), it starts creating a string using these rules:

1. Another single-quote ends the contents and cannot be escapaed (see below rule)
2. Escape sequences are **not** expanded (e.g., `\t` is not translated into a literal `TAB`)
3. Variables are **not** expanded (e.g., `$foo` remains `$foo`)
4. Command substitutions are **not** performed (e.g., `$(date)` and `` `date` `` remain unchanged)

For example:

```
1 #!/bin/sh
2 echo '$bird $(is) `\t\h\e` ${word}'
```

Produces:

```
$bird $(is) `\t\h\e` ${word}
```