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Punctuation in direct speech
We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (") are preferred in American English, while single quotes (') are more common in British English:
" I'm coming home late tonight, " she said. (American English) ' I'm coming home late tonight, ' she said. (British English)
If we quote within direct speech, we use the other style for the embedded quotation:
"She said, ' I'm coming home late tonight ', " recalled Jim. (American English) 'She said, " I'm coming home late tonight ", ' recalled Jim. (British English)
As can be seen in the examples above, a comma ( , ) is used at the end of the quotation, before the closing speech mark.
A comma is also used before the quotation if we start the sentence with the reporting clause. In this case the terminal full stop (.) comes before the closing speech mark:
She added , "Don't expect me before 11 . "
If the quotation is a question or exclamation, the terminal marks ( ? and ! ) also come before the closing speech marks:
"Hurry up ! " he shouted. She asked, "Am I late ? "
The quotation normally begins with a capital letter, except if it is interrupted by a reporting clause, in which case the first letter of the continuation is not capitalised:
" I 'm coming home late tonight," she said and added, " d on't expect me before 11."
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Direct & indirect quotations
Punctuating direct and indirect speech.
These worksheets emphasize the difference between direct quotations (where the speaker's exact words are put inside quotation marks) and indirect quotations (no quotation marks are used). In these worksheets, students rewrite indirect quotations as direct quotations .
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- Punctuation /
Direct Speech Punctuation: Learn Rules of Usage with Examples
- Updated on
- May 3, 2024
Direct speech punctuation is used in reported speech to separate spoken words or dialogue from the rest of the sentence. Some of the common symbols used to punctuate direct speech are commas, inverted commas, exclamation marks and many more. Keep reading this blog hereon to know all about the reported speech punctuations and how they can be used with specific without committing any grammatical error.
This Blog Includes:
What is direct speech punctuation, list of direct speech punctuation and examples, using commas in direct speech , using question mark punctuation in direct speech, use of exclamation mark as direct speech punctuation.
Learn All About Punctuation Here!
When using direct speech punctuation in your writing, one can more clearly convey what someone said. To distinguish spoken words from the surrounding text, it employs a combination of quotation marks, capitalization, and commas.
Here is a list of direct speech punctuation marks with their examples.
Rules of Using Direct Speech Punctuation Marks with Examples
Take a look at the rules for using direct speech punctuation marks along with the examples to get a better understanding.
Commas are key players in punctuating direct speech, they help in clarifying who’s saying what. Here are examples of how commas work through examples:
Comma after the Introductory Clause:
This is the most common scenario. When you introduce who’s speaking before their words, use a comma to separate them.
Example: “I’m going for a walk,” she said.
Comma before the Closing Quotation Mark:
If you introduce the speaker after their words, put a comma before the closing quotation mark.
Example: “I’m going to the store,” said my sister.
Double Commas with Interruptions:
If you interrupt the quoted speech with an attribution (who’s speaking), use a comma after the first part of the speech, another comma after the attribution, and then continue the quotation marks.
Example: “Wait a minute,” she interjected, “did you forget something?”
Commas and Question/Exclamation Marks:
Generally, you don’t need a comma after the quoted speech if it ends with a question mark or exclamation mark since the punctuation already indicates a pause. But, if the introductory clause comes first, the comma goes before the closing quotation mark (even with a question or exclamation mark).
Example: “Are you sure?” she asked.
Also Read: What is the Use of Commas (,): Meaning, Rules, & Examples
Question marks are indeed used in direct speech to indicate an interrogative sentence. Here’s how they work:
Direct Questions:
Whenever someone asks a question in quoted speech, you use a question mark within the quotation marks, regardless of the sentence structure around it.
- Example: “Where are you going?” he asked.
- Example: “Have you seen my keys?” she wondered.
Question Mark with Attribution:
If you introduce the speaker with a phrase before their question, the question mark remains inside the quotation marks, and a comma separates the introductory phrase. Example: Confused, he asked, “What’s going on here?”
Also Read: Question Mark Punctuation (?): Definition, Usage, and Examples
Exclamation marks are just as important as commas and question marks when it comes to punctuating reported speech. Here’s how they function:
Exclamations in Speech:
Just like with questions, use an exclamation mark inside the quotation marks when the spoken words themselves express strong emotion or surprise.
- Example: “Look out!” she screamed.
- Example: “I won the lottery!” he exclaimed.
Exclamation Mark with Attribution:
Similar to questions, if you introduce the speaker with a phrase before the exclamation, the exclamation mark stays within the quotation marks, separated by a comma from the introductory phrase. Example: Surprised, she shouted, “Get out of here!”
Also Read: 20+ Exclamation Mark examples in Sentences with Usage
If the direct speech is at the beginning of the sentence then you must put a comma before the final quotation mark.
Direct speech is a sentence where the exact words are put in speech marks also known as quotation marks.
Direct speech is surrounded by quotation marks. Indirect speech, on the other hand, is not surrounded by speech marks and is just written within the text.
Related Reads
This was all about direct speech punctuation, its rules, examples and related information. Hope you understand the concept and know how to proceed. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to grammar.
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Malvika is a content writer cum news freak who comes with a strong background in Journalism and has worked with renowned news websites such as News 9 and The Financial Express to name a few. When not writing, she can be found bringing life to the canvasses by painting on them.
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Y4 Punctuating Direct Speech
Subject: English
Age range: 7-11
Resource type: Worksheet/Activity
Last updated
1 March 2022
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Ideal for in Year 4 when teaching how to punctuate direct speech.
National Curriculum Links
Year 4 statutory content to be introduced – Use of inverted commas and other punctuation to indicate direct speech.
Year 3 and 4 – using and punctuating direct speech.
Differentiation
- Capital letters and inverted commas in direct speech.
- Above plus commas before and at the end of direct speech.
- Above plus ? ! . at the end of direct speech.
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COMMENTS
Punctuating direct speech. Direct speech means the bits of a sentence that are actually being spoken; like the words you would find in a speech bubble. Punctuating direct speech can seem complicated. Here is a step‐by‐step guide to getting it right. Speech marks always need to go at the start and end of what is being said: "Are you coming ...
Direct Speech: Missing Punctuation Answers Challenge: correctly punctuate this passage of text from the story. Piog raised an eyebrow. "If you think this is delicious, food must be disgusting in your world." "It's all we've got," said Yognar apologetically, putting down her empty bowl with a sigh. "So, we make do."
Marks.PDF. Direct Speech - Speech. Speech marks inverted (or ) show commas when someone You will see them " speech written " or ' sp ' ech . in books. Task One. Copy these sentences into your correct Rememb places. r: The speech marks said. Copy all the other punctuation. 1. Hello, said the man. 2.
Punctuation in direct speech. We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (") are preferred in American English, while single quotes (') are more common in British English: "I'm coming home late tonight," she said. (American English)
speech. Those who change are will → would, can → could, may → might: I will come with you. → Tina promised she would come with me. I can help you. → He said he could help me. It may be a good idea. → I thought it might be a good idea. Modals Direct speeches Indirect speeches will "They will call you."
Read how to punctuate direct speech below. Insert the first set of quotation marks. Begin the sentence or phrase inside the quotation marks with a capital letter. Place the correct punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation point, etc.) at the end of the sentence. Insert the second set of quotation marks after the punctuation.
Punctuating Direct Speech/Quotations. While students are familiar with commas and how to use them, they might not have a lot of practice using quotation marks in their writing. We use quotation marks for writing quotes. They look like pairs of upside-down commas. We place them before and after the quote. We also sometimes call them speech marks.
Application and Reasoning - Direct and Indirect Speech - Teaching Information. 1a. sentences below so that they are correctly punctuated for direct speech. Go and get changed into your costume now said Mr Pinkman. Miss Smith said don't forget to put your things away. D. 1b. sentences below so that they are correctly punctuated for direct ...
Punctuating Direct Speech. Copy the sentence and underneath rewrite it with a correct speech punctuation. Steps to Success: 1. Put speech marks around what the speaker says, 2. Start each speech sentence with a capital letter. 3. Place a piece of punctuation before closing your inverted commas. What time are we going out asked Anna.
pdf, 2.66 MB. Four worksheets aimed at learning how to accurately punctuate direct speech. The worksheets are differentiated to cover a range of difficulty levels. The speech punctuation used includes inverted commas (speech marks), capital letters, commas and end of sentence punctuation (full stops, exclamation marks or question marks).
In this worksheet, students practise correctly adding commas, quotation marks, capital letters, full stops and other forms of punctuation to the sentences provided. Sometimes the quoted speech occurs at the beginning of the sentence, at other times it is found in the middle or at the end. Lay the groundwork that will enable your students to ...
Direct Speech Worksheets (KS2) Three differentiated resources that focus on direct speech and being able to punctuate it accurately. These sheets are made with mastery in mind, taking elements of the mastery approach to Maths and applying these to English. Each sheet tells children what they need to do as well as having answers available.
Direct Speech Punctuation Answers " Better head down the steps, Sammy," a familiar voice urged him. The heavy-set butcher's wife herded her two toddlers past him." Adolf's bombs can't reach you down on the tube." Sam smiled a thank-you."I'll be down in a minute, Mrs Griffiths - just as soon as Lily gets here."
Homework/Extension - Punctuating Direct Speech - Year 3 Developing. A. Hardin asked his dad, where are my shoes.". "I often forget to tie my laces before I leave the house. Ruby. B. admitted shyly. quietly.". C. Walter exclaimed "tap your nose softly and pat your shoulder.
Tell your partner why they are incorrect and correct them on your whiteboard. You need to get off the bus here" said the driver. Stop annoying me! shouted Sophie. "Who goes there" grumbled the troll. "What a beautiful day it is! rejoiced Sheila.". "That's all the money I have, explained Frank. Correctly Punctuate the Speech.
little red riding hood cried what big eyes you have. Little Red Riding Hood cried, "What big eyes you have!". the wolf replied all the better to see to you with my dear. The wolf replied, "All the better to see you with my dear.". Change the speech bubble into a sentence with direct speech. I'm going to ride to the park.
KS3. Category. Punctuation: Direct speech. Resource type. Worksheet. This is a really clear punctuation worksheet to consolidate direct speech skills with students. It's a step-by-step guide to writing full dialogue with three different exercises. 51.64 KB. Free download.
Punctuating direct and indirect speech. These worksheets emphasize the difference between direct quotations (where the speaker's exact words are put inside quotation marks) and indirect quotations (no quotation marks are used). In these worksheets, students rewrite indirect quotations as direct quotations. Worksheet #1 Worksheet #2. Worksheet #3.
Direct speech punctuation is used in reported speech to separate spoken words or dialogue from the rest of the sentence. Some of the common symbols used to punctuate direct speech are commas, inverted commas, exclamation marks and many more. Keep reading this blog hereon to know all about the reported speech punctuations and how they can be ...
Step 2: Punctuating Direct Speech National Curriculum Objectives: English Year 3: (3G5.7) Introduction to inverted commas to punctuate direct speech Terminology For Pupils: •(3G5.7) direct speech •(3G5.7) inverted commas (or 'speech marks') Differentiation: Developing Questions to support punctuating direct speech with missing punctuation
Inside, you will find 3 differentiated direct speech punctuation worksheets that you can use to tailor your activities to your children's understanding and abilities. We have also included a page of lined paper that your students can use to complete their direct speech punctuation activities, as well as answer sheets for each worksheet.
pdf, 253.73 KB. Ideal for in Year 4 when teaching how to punctuate direct speech. 'Punctuating Direct Speech' activity sheet with three levels of differentiation and a range of activities to allow children to punctuate direct speech correctly, write direct speech with correct punctuation and mark the punctuation sentences. Answers included.