Punctuating Direct Speech
As we know that we repeat the exact words spoken in directspeech. In written form, we enclose the exact words of someone in inverted commas. Inverted commas are also called quotation marks, speech marks, or quotes.
Punctuation Rules for Direct Speech
When we start a sentence with a reporting clause, we use a
comma after the reporting clause.
- He said, “I am ill.”
As discussed earlier, we enclose the exact words spoken in
inverted commas. In American English, double quotes are preferred. Single
quotes are preferred in British English.
- Ali said, “I am coming now.” (American English)
- Ali said, ‘I am coming now.’ (British English)
The first letter after the starting quotations is
capitalized.
- She says, “You are my best friend.”
All the terminal punctuation marks come before the closing
quotation marks.
- He said, “I am busy today.”
- He said, “Do you support him in all affairs?”
- He said, “What a beautiful shirt you have worn!”
It is also possible to use a reported clause at the beginning.
In this case, if the reported clause is other than a question or exclamation, a
comma is used after the reported clause inside the quotation marks.
- “What I say,” he said.
- “What!” exclaimed Ali.
- “What did you say?” asked Ali.
When there is a name in reporting clause, and it comes
later, the name in the reporting clause comes after the reporting verb.
- “I am traveling now,” said Ali.
A reporting verb can come within a sentence.
- “The president,” said Ali, “has assigned me to accompany you.”
When a reporting clause interrupts a quotation, the first
letter in the quotation after the reporting clause is not capitalized.
- “The president,” said Ali, “has assigned me to accompany you.”
In case of interruption, a reporting clause is followed by a
comma.
- “The president,” said Ali, “has assigned me to accompany you.”
Embedded quotations can be written as:
- “He said, ‘I will not call John’,” recalled Ali. (American English)
- ‘He said, “I will not call John”,’ recalled Ali. (British English)
Direct and Indirect Speech Examples
