Quotation Marks

You already know that quotation marks show the exact words someone says. Now it is time to learn the finer punctuation rules for direct speech, including where commas and full stops go in different sentence patterns.

What You'll Learn

In this lesson, you will:

• Place commas and full stops correctly when the speaker tag is at the start, middle, or end
• Punctuate split speech (when the speaker tag interrupts the spoken words)
• Handle multiple sentences inside quotation marks
• Choose the right punctuation when speech contains a question or exclamation

When to Use

1. Writing dialogue in a composition: "Let's meet at the hawker centre," suggested Priya, "after our tuition class."
2. Showing a character speaking more than one sentence: Father said, "Finish your rice. We are leaving soon."
3. Punctuating a question inside speech: "Have you packed your water bottle?" asked Mother.
4. Punctuating an exclamation inside speech: "Watch out for the bicycle!" shouted the crossing guard.
5. Splitting speech to add a speaker tag in the middle: "If it rains," said Wei Ming, "we can play board games instead."

How to Form

Pattern 1: Speaker Tag at the Start

Place a comma after the speaker tag. Start the spoken words with a capital letter. Put the full stop inside the closing quotation mark.

Full sentence: Mrs Lim said, "Please line up quietly."

Pattern 2: Speaker Tag at the End

When the spoken words come first and they are a statement, replace the full stop with a comma inside the closing quotation mark. The speaker tag starts with a small letter.

Full sentence: "I left my umbrella at school," said Ravi.

Important: If the spoken words are a question or exclamation, keep the question mark or exclamation mark. Do not change it to a comma.

• "Are we there yet**?**" asked Siti.
• "I can't believe it**!**" exclaimed Jun Wei.

Pattern 3: Split Speech (Speaker Tag in the Middle)

Sometimes the speaker tag interrupts the spoken words. This is called split speech. The punctuation depends on whether the speech is one sentence or two sentences.

One sentence split into two parts

The spoken words are one sentence broken by the speaker tag. Use a comma before and after the speaker tag. Continue the second part with a small letter.

"If you are free," said Auntie Mei, "please help me carry this bag."

Two separate sentences

The first spoken sentence ends, the speaker tag follows, and then a new sentence begins. Use a comma after the first part and a full stop after the speaker tag. Start the second sentence with a capital letter.

"I finished my homework," said Hafiz. "Let's go to the playground."

Key Rules

1. Full stops and commas go inside the closing quotation mark: Never place a full stop or comma after the closing quotation mark. Right: "I am done." Wrong: "I am done".

2. Comma replaces the full stop before a speaker tag at the end: When a statement comes first and the speaker tag follows, change the full stop to a comma. "I am ready**," she said. (Not: "I am ready.**" she said.)

3. Keep question marks and exclamation marks: Do not change a question mark or exclamation mark to a comma, even when the speaker tag comes after the speech. "Where is my pencil case**?" asked Nisha. (Not: "Where is my pencil case,**" asked Nisha.)

4. In split speech, check if it is one sentence or two: If it is one sentence split in half, continue with a small letter after the speaker tag. If the speaker tag separates two different sentences, start the second sentence with a capital letter and put a full stop after the speaker tag.

5. Multiple sentences inside quotation marks share one pair of marks: Do not close and reopen quotation marks between sentences from the same speaker. Right: He said, "Close the window. It is getting cold." Wrong: He said, "Close the window." "It is getting cold."

6. Each new speaker starts on a new line: When writing dialogue with more than one person, start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes. This helps the reader follow who is talking.

Common Mistakes

Clue Words

Reporting verbs that signal direct speech

said, asked, replied, shouted, whispered, exclaimed, called out, announced, explained, added, continued

Punctuation clues to watch for

comma before opening quotation mark, comma or full stop after speaker tag in split speech, question mark or exclamation mark kept inside quotation marks

Words that signal split speech

Look for a speaker tag (said, asked, replied) appearing between two parts of spoken words. If you see quotation marks, then a speaker tag, then more quotation marks, you are reading split speech.

Tip: Think of quotation marks as a "fence" around the speaker's exact words. All punctuation that belongs to the spoken words (full stops, commas, question marks, exclamation marks) stays inside the fence.

Practice Tips

1. The three-check method: After writing direct speech, check three things in order: (1) Is there a comma or full stop in the right place around the speaker tag? (2) Does the speech start with a capital letter? (3) Is the end punctuation inside the closing quotation mark?

2. The split-speech test: When you see a speaker tag in the middle of speech, read the spoken words without the speaker tag. If they form one sentence, use a small letter after the tag. If they form two sentences, use a capital letter after the tag and a full stop after the speaker tag.

3. Read your dialogue aloud: Read only the words inside the quotation marks out loud. They should sound like a real person talking. Then read the words outside the quotation marks. They should describe who is speaking and how.

4. New speaker, new line: When writing a conversation, press enter and start a new paragraph each time a different person speaks. This is one of the easiest ways to make dialogue clear.

Quick Reference

Punctuation Placement Summary