Page 252 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A p p e n d i x 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

h a v e s a i d

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:
• 'It's a pity you can't come this weekend.'
• "I'm really hungry. I fancy a cheese sandwich."

B If there is a reporting clause (e.g. she said, exclaimed Tom) after the quotation, you put a
comma before the second quotation mark:
• "I think we should go to India while we have the opportunity," argued Richard.
If you are quoting a question or exclamation, you use a question mark or exclamation
mark instead of a comma:
• "Can I make an appointment to see the doctor?" asked Bill.
• 'You must be mad!' yelled her brother.

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,
and start the second part of the quotation with a lower case (not a capital) letter:
• "It tastes horrible," said Susan, "but it's supposed to be very good for you."
If the second part of the quotation is a new sentence you put a full stop at the end of the
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."
If the reporting clause comes before the quotation, you put a comma at the end of the
reporting clause, and a full stop (or question or exclamation mark) at the end of the
quotation:
• John said, "Put them all on the top shelf."
A colon is sometimes used at the end of the reporting clause instead of a comma:
• She stood up and shouted to the children: "It's time to go home!"
C When you quote what a person thinks, you can either use the conventions described in A
and B, or separate the quotation from the reporting clause with a comma (or colon) and
leave out quotation marks:
• "Why did she look at me like that?" wondered Mary.
• Perhaps the door is open, thought Chris.
• Suddenly she thought: Could they be trying to trick me?

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