Single quotes prevent all expansion.
Section: Quoting
Literal single-quoted string
bash
bash
echo 'Path is $HOME'Explanation
Use when you need literal shell characters.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Quoting
Expandable double-quoted string
Double quotes allow variable and command expansion.
Escape one character
Backslash escapes the next character in many contexts.
ANSI-C quoted string
Use ANSI-C quoting for escapes like newline and tab.