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Punctuation (Commas and Inverted Commas) 01
She whispered, "I really like Peter". This illustrates the correct use of a comma before inverted commas.

Punctuation (Commas and Inverted Commas) 01

Master commas and inverted commas for speech. Learn where to place punctuation in dialogue and how to avoid common mistakes in KS3 English.

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Fascinating Fact:

Punctuation for speech sits inside the closing inverted comma if it belongs to the words spoken, ‘Thanks for coming!’

In KS3 English, you learn how commas and inverted commas work in direct speech. You practise placing commas, question marks, and exclamation marks so dialogue reads clearly and accurately.

  • Inverted commas: Quotation marks that show exact spoken words. Use single or double consistently.
  • Reporting clause: Words that tell who spoke and how, such as she said or he whispered.
  • Dialogue punctuation: Commas, question marks, and exclamation marks placed with speech to show meaning.
Do commas go inside or outside inverted commas?

Place punctuation inside if it belongs to the spoken words. Put it outside if it belongs to the surrounding sentence rather than the speech.

When do I put a comma before the closing inverted commas?

Use a comma before the closing marks when a reporting clause follows, as in “I’m ready,” she said. Use ? or ! instead if that is the speaker’s meaning.

Should I use single or double inverted commas in KS3?

Either is fine if you are consistent. British English often uses single and American English often uses double. Follow your school or exam guidance.

1 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
They shouted Hooray
They shouted "Hooray!"
They shouted hooray!
They shouted, "Hooray!"
They shouted, Hooray,
Use a comma before the opening speech marks
2 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
He said I've found a solution to the problem
He said "I've found a solution to the problem,"
He said "I've found a solution to the problem.
He said, "I've found a solution to the problem."
He said, I've found a solution to the problem.
A comma separates "he said" from the content of his speech
3 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
She whispered it's time to go
She whispered "It's time to go,"
She whispered "it's time to go,"
She whispered It's time to go!"
She whispered, "It's time to go!"
"It's time to go!" is a complete sentence and therefore begins with a capital letter
4 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
He told the class use a comma before direct speech
He told the class "Use a comma before direct speech,"
He told the class, "Use a comma before direct speech."
He told the class, use a comma before direct speech.
He told the class. Use a comma before direct speech.
Remember that the closing punctuation goes before the closing speech marks
5 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
The lesson is over he announced
"The lesson is over" he announced,
"The lesson is over" He announced.
"The lesson is over," he announced.
The lesson is over, he announced,
There should always be some form of punctuation before the closing speech marks
6 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
It will rain tomorrow explained the weather expert
"It will rain tomorrow explained the weather expert".
"It will rain tomorrow." Explained the weather expert.
"It will rain tomorrow," explained the weather expert.
It will rain tomorrow, explained the weather expert.
When the sentence continues after the closing speech mark, the following word should not be capitalised. Here the sentence continues after the closing speech mark with the words "explained the weather expert" and "explained" should not begin with a capital letter
7 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
There is a traffic jam all the way home reported Jan
"There is a traffic jam all the way home," Reported Jan.
"There is a traffic jam all the way home, reported Jan".
"There is a traffic jam all the way home," reported Jan.
There is a traffic jam all the way home reported Jan,
The word "reported" should not be capitalised
8 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
I'm so tired Sophie sighed
"I'm so tired Sophie sighed
"I'm so tired" Sophie sighed,
"I'm so tired" Sophie sighed.
"I'm so tired," Sophie sighed.
Put the comma inside the closing speech marks
9 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
Come and look at the dolphins cried Jon
"Come and look at the dolphins cried Jon,
"Come and look at the dolphins" cried Jon,
"Come and look at the dolphins" cried Jon.
"Come and look at the dolphins," cried Jon.
This would also be correct: "Come and look at the dolphins!" cried Jon.
10 .
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
This is the last question laughed Arjin.
"This is the last question? laughed Arjin."
"This is the last question" laughed Arjin?
"This is the last question" laughed Arjin.
"This is the last question," laughed Arjin.
Opening quotation mark, speech, punctuation, closing quotation mark
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What is a comma?

Author:  Sue Daish (English Teacher, Principal Examiner & Published Author)

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