Page 252 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A p p e n d i x 2 2 Q u o t i n g w h a t p e o p l e t h i n k o r w h a t t h e y
think
or what
Quoting
what
people
Appendix
they
h a v e s a i d
said
have.
You put single (‘...') or double ("...") quotation marks at the beginning and end of a report
A A You put single ('...') or double ("...") quotation marks at the beginning and end of a report
of someone's exact spoken or written words. This is often referred to as direct speech:
of someone's exact spoken or written words. This is often referred to as direct speech:
'It's a pity you can't come this weekend.'
• ¢ 'It's a pity you can't come this weekend.
"I'm really hungry. I fancy a cheese sandwich."
• « "I'm really hungry. I fancy a cheese sandwich."
If there is a reporting clause (e.g. she said, exclaimed Tom) after the quotation, you put a
B B_ Ifthere is a reporting clause (e.g. she said, exclaimed Tom) after the quotation, you put a
comma before the second quotation mark:
comma before the second quotation mark:
"I think we should go to India while we have the opportunity," argued Richard.
• ¢ "TI think we should go to India while we have the opportunity," argued Richard.
you use a question mark or exclamation
If you are quoting a question or exclamation, you use a question mark or exclamation
If you are quoting a question or exclamation,
of a comma:
mark instead of a comma:
mark instead
"Can I make an appointment to see the doctor?" asked Bill.
• « "Can I make an appointment to see the doctor?" asked Bill.
'You must be mad!'
yelled her brother.
• « ‘You must be mad! yelled her brother.
If the reporting clause comes within the quotation, you put a comma before the second
If the reporting clause comes within the quotation, you put a comma before the second
quotation mark of the first part of the quotation, a comma at the end of the reporting clause,
quotation mark of the first part of the quotation, a comma at the end of the reporting clause,
and start the second part of the quotation with a lower case (not a capital) letter:
and start the second part of the quotation with a lower case (not a capital) letter:
said Susan,
"It tastes horrible,"
"but it's supposed to be very good for you."
• ¢ "It tastes horrible," said Susan, "but it's supposed to be very good for you."
full stop at the
end of the
new sentence you put a
If the second part of the quotation is
If the second part of the quotation is a a new sentence you put a full stop at the end of the
and start the second part of the quotation with a capital letter:
reporting clause,
reporting clause, and start the second part of the quotation with a capital letter:
"You should go home,"
Sandra advised.
"You're looking really ill."
• « "You should go home," Sandra advised. "You're looking really ill."
If the reporting clause comes before the quotation, you put a comma at the end of the
If the reporting clause comes before the quotation, you put a comma at the end of the
and a
full stop
(or question or exclamation mark)
at the end of the
reporting clause, and a full stop (or question or exclamation mark) at the end of the
reporting clause,
quotation:
quotation:
"Put them all on the top shelf."
John said,
• ¢ John said, "Put them all on the top shelf." "It's time to go home!"
A colon is sometimes used at the end of the reporting clause instead of a comma:
C C and B, or separate the quotation from the reporting clause with a a comma (or colon) and
A colon is sometimes used at the end of the reporting clause instead of a comma:
She stood up and shouted to the children:
• ¢ She stood up and shouted to the children: "It's time to go home!"
When you quote what a person thinks, you can either use the conventions described in A A
When you quote what a person thinks, you can either use the conventions described in
comma
(or colon)
and
and B, or separate the quotation from the reporting clause with
leave out quotation marks:
leave out quotation marks:
"Why did she look at me like that?" wondered Mary.
• « "Why did she look at me like that?" wondered Mary.
Perhaps the door is open, thought Chris.
• ¢ Perhaps the door is open, thought Chris.
Suddenly she thought:
Could they be trying to trick me?
• ¢ Suddenly she thought: Could they be trying to trick me?
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