referring to a general sentence as a sentence/ word as a word/ phrase or saying

[Grammarholic]

When I'm referring to a general sentence as a sentence, or a phrase or saying as a saying (or word as a word), would I correctly punctuate it in the following manner (periods outside the ending quote mark)? This isn't a direct quote, obviously, but a reference to a sentence or an adage. So, periods outside the ending single quote mark in each?

I would write it as 'Two wrongs don't make a right'.

I prefer the sentence 'Be careful what you wish for'.

I like the old saying 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'.

I love the word 'tempestuous'.

Best,

gh

[Mordant]

In American English, periods and commas somehow usually appear within quote marks even if they are not part of the quote. Everything else depends on whether it is part of the quote or not. It doesn't seem terribly logical. It seems that if it's part of the quote, it should go inside. If it's not, it shouldn't.

In other words, British English would punctuate all those just as you have. And I do love the word "tempestuous," by the way.