punctuation in direct speech

Status
Not open for further replies.

Winwin2011

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
"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.
 
Last edited:
"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.
 
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. "?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Winwin, your excellent thread title has enabled the system to find a number of Similar Threads (see below).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top