Direct Speech
Direct speech shows the exact words that someone said. We put their words inside quotation marks (" ") so the reader knows these are the speaker's actual words.
What You'll Learn
- How to write direct speech using quotation marks (" ")
- Where to place the comma and full stop in direct speech
- How to use the reporting verbs "said" and "asked"
- How to punctuate direct speech for statements and questions
When to Use
- Showing someone's exact words: Mother said, "Please finish your homework."
- Writing dialogue in a story: "I found a kitten," said Mei Ling.
- Reporting what someone asked: Father asked, "Have you eaten your lunch?"
- Quoting someone in a composition: The teacher said, "Open your textbooks to page 12."
How to Form
Structure 1: Reporting Verb Before the Speech
Place the reporting verb first, add a comma, then write the exact words inside quotation marks.
| Part | What it looks like | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting clause | He said, | He said, |
| Opening quotation mark | " | " |
| Spoken words (capital letter) | I am going home. | I am going home. |
| Closing quotation mark | " | " |
Full sentence: He said, "I am going home."
Structure 2: Speech Before the Reporting Verb
Place the spoken words first, then the reporting verb after.
| Part | What it looks like | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Opening quotation mark | " | " |
| Spoken words | I am going home, | I am going home, |
| Closing quotation mark | " | " |
| Reporting clause | he said. | he said. |
Full sentence: "I am going home," he said.
Punctuation Placement
| Type | Reporting verb first | Speech first |
|---|---|---|
| Statement | He said**,** "I like cats**.**" | "I like cats**," he said.** |
| Question | She asked**,** "Do you like cats**?**" | "Do you like cats**?" she asked.** |
| Exclamation | He shouted**,** "Watch out**!**" | "Watch out**!" he shouted.** |
Key Rules
-
Start with a capital letter: The first word inside the quotation marks always begins with a capital letter. He said, "The bus is here."
-
Comma before opening quotation marks: When the reporting verb comes first, place a comma before the opening quotation marks. She said**,** "I am ready."
-
Comma replaces the full stop when speech comes first: If the spoken words are a statement and come before the reporting verb, use a comma instead of a full stop before the closing quotation marks. "I am ready**,**" she said.
-
Keep question marks and exclamation marks: When the speech is a question or exclamation and comes first, keep the question mark or exclamation mark. Do not change it to a comma. "Where is my bag**?**" he asked.
-
Quotation marks go around the exact words only: Only the speaker's actual words go inside the quotation marks. Do not include the reporting clause. She said, "I am fine." (Not: "She said, I am fine.")
-
"Said" and "asked" are different: Use "said" for statements and "asked" for questions. He said, "I am happy." She asked, "Are you happy?"
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| He said, "i am tired." | He said, "I am tired." | The first word inside quotation marks must start with a capital letter |
| She said "I am fine." | She said, "I am fine." | A comma is needed after "said" before the quotation marks |
| "I am hungry." she said. | "I am hungry," she said. | Use a comma, not a full stop, before the reporting verb |
| He said, "I like ice cream". | He said, "I like ice cream." | The full stop goes inside the closing quotation marks |
| "Where are you." she asked. | "Where are you?" she asked. | A question needs a question mark, not a full stop |
| He asked, "I want to go home." | He said, "I want to go home." | "Asked" is for questions, not statements. Use "said" here |
Clue Words
Reporting verbs for statements
said, told, replied, answered
Reporting verbs for questions
asked
Signal words in the sentence
quotation marks (" "), comma before speech, capital letter inside quotes
Tip: Think of quotation marks as a "speech bubble" in a comic strip. Whatever the character says goes inside the bubble. The reporting verb (said, asked) tells us who is speaking.
Practice Tips
- Spot the speaker: Find the reporting verb (said, asked) first. This tells you who is speaking. Then check that the spoken words are wrapped in quotation marks.
- Punctuation check: After writing direct speech, ask yourself three questions: Is there a comma after the reporting verb? Does the speech start with a capital letter? Is the full stop or question mark inside the closing quotation marks?
- Read it aloud: Read the sentence out loud. The words inside the quotation marks should sound like someone actually talking. If it sounds odd, check your punctuation.
- Statement or question?: Decide whether the speaker is telling or asking. If telling, end with a full stop and use "said". If asking, end with a question mark and use "asked".
Quick Reference
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Reporting verb + statement | He said, "I am going to the hawker centre." |
| Reporting verb + question | She asked, "Do you want chicken rice?" |
| Statement + reporting verb | "I am going to the hawker centre," he said. |
| Question + reporting verb | "Do you want chicken rice?" she asked. |
| Exclamation + reporting verb | "Look at the fireworks!" he shouted. |
| Rule | Remember |
|---|---|
| Capital letter | Always start the spoken words with a capital letter |
| Comma placement | Comma after reporting verb, or comma before reporting verb (for statements) |
| Full stop position | Inside the closing quotation marks |
| Question mark | Keeps its place inside the quotation marks, no comma needed |
| "Said" vs "Asked" | "Said" = telling, "Asked" = questioning |