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Position:Home>Books & Authors> "blah blah blah blah," I said.?Question: "blah blah blah blah," I said!.!? Why is it a comma rather than a period!?
That always kind of confused me because I've been reading (as usual) and I noticed how it's always, "something something something," I replied!. but SOMETIMES there's a period too!. "blah blah blah!." I said!. What's right and why!?Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I can explain this, but I know I can find a website that explains it better!. Here you are: http://grammartips!.homestead!.com/inside!.!.!.!. http://grammar!.ccc!.commnet!.edu/GRAMMAR/m!.!.!. This third one is strictly American English: http://www!.williams!.edu/English/PdfEngli!.!.!. This is from http://www!.tomoffinlandfoundation!.org/fo!.!.!. and I think it's the most helpful in answering your question!. There are two distinct styles used for quotations!. Both are correct!. Basically speaking, when punctuating quoted passages, put punctuation where it belongs, inside or outside the quotation marks — depending on the meaning — not rigidly within the quotation marks!. This follows the rules for parentheses and brackets!. It is accepted by many authors and scholars; in legal and technical writing; and abroad!. What is important is that there be consistency within the piece (e!.g!., letter, announcement, article) being written!. Place periods and commas outside quotation marks if the period or comma does not refer to the quoted text!. Place punctuation inside the quotation if it is a part of the sentence or phrase!. He asked me, "Do you have the time!?"!. Can you believe Sharon had the gall to say, "I've never seen you before in my life"!? Roger said, "I just got back!." Dan called me "helpful," but I think he was only kidding!. Hope these help!. I assume you're an American, having to ask this question!. As usual, Americans typically have a different way of doing things than the rest of the world, so keep in mind that this can be answered a number of ways depending upon where you live!. The first website I gave you will address this a little bit!.Www@QuestionHome@Com A comma is used when the dialogue is ended with, for example, 'I said!.' A period must be after the 'I said,' 'she/he said,' 'they said!.' Example:' "You're in for it," he said!.' When a period is used between what is said and who says it, that is when the sentence following the bit of dialogue contains action or description about the speaker!. Example:' "I told you twice to do that!." She stared at her cousin and walked away!.'Www@QuestionHome@Com Because a period signifies the end of that sentence!. "Blah, blah, blah!." I said!. This would make no sense!. 'I said' is not a complete sentence nor is it a separate thought!. It is a continuation of the 'blah, blah, blah'!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |