# Direct Speech Punctuation: Rules and Examples | SwaVid

Direct speech punctuation: Direct speech gives the exact words someone said. Rules, examples and a free quick check for Class 6 to 12.

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# Direct speech punctuation: rules and examples

## The rule, step by step

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### Quick reference

### What is the rule for direct speech punctuation?

### What is the main idea to remember in direct speech punctuation?

### How do I get direct speech punctuation right?

### Free English grammar test

### More in Punctuation, Capitals and Spelling

Short answer. Direct speech gives the exact words someone said. Put them inside quotation marks, one at the start and one at the end. A comma joins the speaker's words to the speech. The speech starts with a capital letter.

1 . Punctuation in direct speech. Which is correct?

Spoken words go inside quotation marks, after a comma.

Direct speech gives the exact words someone said. Put them inside quotation marks, one at the start and one at the end. A comma joins the speaker's words to the speech. The speech starts with a capital letter.

Spoken words go inside quotation marks, after a comma.

Speaker after the speech. When the speaker comes after the speech, put a comma, not a full stop, inside the closing mark. After a question mark or exclamation mark, add no comma. Said starts with a small letter.

Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.

All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- End marks go inside . The full stop, question mark or exclamation mark of the speech goes inside the closing quotation mark.
- Speaker after the speech . When the speaker comes after the speech, put a comma, not a full stop, inside the closing mark. After a question mark or exclamation mark, add no comma. Said starts with a small letter.
- Split speech . When the speaker comes in the middle, put a comma inside the first closing mark and another after the speaker's words. If the sentence goes on, the second part starts with a small letter.
- Sana said, "Dinner is ready."

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