punctuation in direct speech

Winwin2011 · Oct 3, 2013

"Lunch is ready," said Mum.

I usually place the comma inside the quotation mark. However, I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation mark. For instance, "Lunch is ready", said Mum. Are they correct?

Thanks.

MikeNewYork · Oct 3, 2013

Winwin2011 said:
"Lunch is ready," said Mum.

I usually place the comma inside the quotation mark. However, I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation mark. For instance, "Lunch is ready", said Mum. Are they correct?

Thanks.

In AmE, the standard method for a direct quote is to place the punctuation mark inside the quotation marks. The rules in BrE are a bit more complex.

Winwin2011 · Oct 3, 2013

MikeNewYork said:
In AmE, the standard method for a direct quote is to place the punctuation mark inside the quotation marks. The rules in BrE are a bit more complex.

Thanks Mike

Is it incorrect to use "the quotation mark" in singular in the sentence of "I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation mark. "?

MikeNewYork · Oct 3, 2013

Winwin2011 said:
Thanks Mike

Is it incorrect to use "the quotation mark" in singular in the sentence of "I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation mark. "?

Single quotation marks are correct in BrE. I would encourage you to pick one method and stick with it.

Winwin2011 · Oct 3, 2013

MikeNewYork said:
Single quotation marks are correct in BrE. I would encourage you to pick one method and stick with it.

Thanks Mike

I'm very sorry for my presentation. I mean which of the following sentences is correct?

1. I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation mark.
2. I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation marks.

MikeNewYork · Oct 3, 2013

Winwin2011 said:
Thanks Mike

I'm very sorry for my presentation. I mean which of the following sentences is correct?

1. I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation mark.
2. I saw some people place the comma outside the quotation marks.

In AmE it would be "marks". I don't know what it would be in BrE.

emsr2d2 · Oct 3, 2013

I would say "... put the comma outside the quotation marks" or "... outside the closing quotation mark". In BrE, the comma in your first post would go outside the quotation marks.

Rover_KE · Oct 3, 2013

Winwin, your excellent thread title has enabled the system to find a number of Similar Threads (see below).

punctuation in direct speech

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