Quotes Arguments are separated by spaces If you want to include spaces in your arguments, enclose them in quotes: $ grep 'Reegen Hatch' /etc/passwd reegen:x:1000:1000:Reegen Hatch:/home/reegen:/bin/ksh $ grep "George's" my.email.txt Everyone loves to ride in George's pontoon boat. Double quotes allow variable and backtick expansion. Single quotes don't.