Brackets, dashes, commas and speech
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Mark extra information with brackets, a pair of dashes or a pair of commas
- Choose the device that suits the sentence, and check that the sentence still makes sense without the extra part
- Add a comma so that a sentence cannot be misread
- Set out a dialogue with a new line for each speaker, and the correct speech marks
- Change direct speech into reported speech, changing the pronouns and tenses
You should already know
- Direct speech and its punctuation (Year 4 Chapter 5)
- Commas after fronted adverbials and in lists (Year 4 punctuation)
Where this leads
- Writing for purpose, and writing dialogue in stories (Chapter 12 of this book)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 6. Content: Use brackets, dashes or commas to indicate a parenthesis, which is extra information that can be removed (Y5-6 punctuation), Use commas to clarify meaning and avoid ambiguity (Y5-6 punctuation), Punctuate direct speech in longer dialogue: a new line for each speaker, and the end mark inside the speech marks (Y5-6 punctuation), Compare direct speech with reported speech, and change one into the other (Y5-6 grammar and punctuation).
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Each new speaker starts a new line.
- Think about dialogue. Each new speaker has a line of their own.a new line
- Choose the word. The new speaker starts a new line.line
- Write the answer. line
Check. A new speaker starts a new line. ✓
Method. The subject does the action.
- Find the verb. Sat is the verb.sat
- Ask who sat. The cat sat, so cat is the subject.cat
- Write the answer. cat
Check. The cat does the action. ✓
Method. A question ends with a question mark.
- Look at the sentence. Are you coming asks for an answer.question
- Choose the mark. A question ends with a question mark.?
- Write the answer. ?
Check. A question ends with a question mark. ✓
Method. Extra information in a sentence is called a parenthesis.
- Think about the meaning. Extra information that can be removed is a parenthesis.parenthesis
- Write the answer. parenthesis
Check. parenthesis is the term. ✓
Method. Say is an irregular verb.
- Find the verb. The verb is say.say
- Write the past tense. The past tense of say is said.said
- Write the answer. said
Check. said is the past tense of say. ✓
Brackets to mark extra information
A parenthesis is extra information in a sentence. It can be removed, and the sentence still makes sense. Use round brackets to mark it: The castle (built in 1400) is open today.
Brackets around extra information
| Sentence without the extra information | With brackets |
|---|---|
| The castle is open to visitors today. | The castle (built in 1400) is open to visitors today. |
| My sister is visiting us next week. | My sister (who lives in Leeds) is visiting us next week. |
| The bridge crosses the river. | The bridge (which was painted last spring) crosses the river. |
Key ideas
- Brackets mark extra information that can be removed.
- The sentence must still make sense without the brackets and the words inside them.
- Put a space before the opening bracket, and none after it.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a bracket before and after it.
- Find the extra information. Built in 1400 gives extra detail about the castle.built in 1400
- Put the brackets around it. Round brackets go before and after the extra information.(built in 1400)
- Check the sentence. The sentence still makes sense without the brackets.The castle (built in 1400) is open today.
- Write the answer. The castle (built in 1400) is open today.
Check. The castle is open without the extra detail. ✓
Method. Find the detail that can be removed, and bracket it.
- Find the detail. A keen gardener describes the grandad.a keen gardener
- Bracket it. The brackets enclose the extra detail.(a keen gardener)
- Check. Without the detail, my grandad grew tomatoes still makes sense.My grandad grew tomatoes.
- Write the answer. My grandad (a keen gardener) grew tomatoes.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the brackets. ✓
Method. The brackets must close around the extra information.
- Check the first. The first sentence has no closing bracket.no closing bracket
- Check the second. The second sentence has an opening and a closing bracket.(which is old)
- Write the answer. The bridge (which is old) crosses the river.
Check. The second sentence is bracketed correctly. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: always close a bracket. An opening bracket with no closing bracket is a common mistake.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read a sentence with brackets aloud, and to say whether the sentence still works without the words in brackets.
Exercise 9A Practice: brackets for parenthesis
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is built in 1400.built in 1400
- Mark it. Put round brackets before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The castle (built in 1400) is open to visitors today.
- Write the answer. The castle (built in 1400) is open to visitors today.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is who lives in Leeds.who lives in Leeds
- Mark it. Put round brackets before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.My sister (who lives in Leeds) is visiting us next week.
- Write the answer. My sister (who lives in Leeds) is visiting us next week.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is which was painted last spring.which was painted last spring
- Mark it. Put round brackets before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The bridge (which was painted last spring) crosses the river.
- Write the answer. The bridge (which was painted last spring) crosses the river.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is a tall man in a green coat.a tall man in a green coat
- Mark it. Put round brackets before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The farmer (a tall man in a green coat) waved from the gate.
- Write the answer. The farmer (a tall man in a green coat) waved from the gate.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. The brackets open and close around the extra information.The farmer (a tall man) waved from the gate. fits
- Reject the other choices. The first sentence has no closing bracket.The farmer (a tall man waved from the gate. do not fit
- Write the answer. The farmer (a tall man) waved from the gate.
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Think about whether the sentence needs the words in brackets.
- Find the brackets. The words in the brackets are built in 1400.built in 1400
- Decide what they do. They enclose extra information, which the sentence does not need.extra information
- Write the answer. They enclose the extra information about when the castle was built, which can be removed.
Check. The brackets mark extra information. ✓
Method. Find the extra information and bracket it.
- Find the extra information. Our teacher gives extra information about Mrs Patel.our teacher
- Bracket it. The brackets go around the extra information.Mrs Patel (our teacher) organised the trip.
- Write the answer. Mrs Patel (our teacher) organised the trip.
Check. The sentence still makes sense without the brackets. ✓
Method. Find the words inside the brackets.
- Find the brackets. The brackets enclose the extra information.( )
- Copy the words. The words inside are swollen by the rain.swollen by the rain
- Write the answer. swollen by the rain
Check. The words are inside the brackets. ✓
Method. Think about whether the main sentence is complete without the extra part.
- Check the main sentence. The river rose over the path is a complete sentence.complete sentence
- Decide. The brackets enclose extra information that can be removed.can be removed
- Write the answer. Because the extra information is not needed for the main meaning, so it can be removed
Check. The main sentence is complete. ✓
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is Mrs Patel.Mrs Patel
- Mark it. Put round brackets before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.Our teacher (Mrs Patel) organised the trip.
- Write the answer. Our teacher (Mrs Patel) organised the trip.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Round brackets close with a round bracket.) fits
- Reject the other choices. A square bracket does not close a round bracket.] do not fit
- Write the answer. )
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Choose a main sentence, then add extra information in brackets.
- Write the main sentence. The school has a large garden is complete.The school has a large garden
- Add the extra information. Founded in 1860 is extra information in brackets.founded in 1860
- Write the answer. The school (founded in 1860) has a large garden.
Check. The brackets enclose the extra information. ✓
Method. Remove the brackets and the words inside them.
- Find the brackets. The brackets enclose built in 1400.built in 1400
- Remove them. The rest of the sentence is still complete.The castle is open today.
- Write the answer. The castle is open today.
Check. The sentence is complete without the extra information. ✓
Method. Choose the main sentence, then add the extra detail in brackets.
- Choose the main sentence. My rabbit eats carrots is complete.My rabbit eats carrots
- Add the detail. A grey one with white ears gives extra information.a grey one with white ears
- Write the answer. My rabbit (a grey one with white ears) eats carrots.
Check. The sentence uses brackets correctly. ✓
Method. Think about what brackets do.
- Think about the detail. The brackets keep the detail with the word it describes.close to the word
- Think about the sentence. The main sentence is not interrupted by a new sentence.not interrupted
- Write the answer. Brackets keep extra information short and close to the words it describes.
Check. Brackets keep extra information close. ✓
Dashes and commas to mark extra information
A parenthesis can also be marked with a pair of dashes or a pair of commas. Each device says the same thing, but a dash is more informal and a comma is more neutral. The sentence must still make sense without the extra information.
Three ways to mark the same extra information
| Brackets | Dashes | Commas |
|---|---|---|
| The bridge (which was painted last spring) crosses the river. | The bridge – which was painted last spring – crosses the river. | The bridge, which was painted last spring, crosses the river. |
| The farmer (a tall man in a green coat) waved from the gate. | The farmer – a tall man in a green coat – waved from the gate. | The farmer, a tall man in a green coat, waved from the gate. |
Key ideas
- A pair of dashes marks extra information, with a space either side.
- A pair of commas marks extra information in a neutral way.
- Use one device for a sentence, and keep to it.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a dash before and after it.
- Find the extra information. Swollen by the rain gives extra detail about the river.swollen by the rain
- Use the dashes. A dash goes before and after it, with a space either side.– swollen by the rain –
- Check. The sentence still makes sense without the dashes.The river rose over the path.
- Write the answer. The river – swollen by the rain – rose over the path.
Check. The dashes mark the extra information. ✓
Method. Find the extra information, then put a comma before and after it.
- Find the extra information. Which was painted last spring is extra detail.which was painted last spring
- Use the commas. A comma goes before and after it., which was painted last spring,
- Check. The bridge crosses the river still makes sense.The bridge, which was painted last spring, crosses the river.
- Write the answer. The bridge, which was painted last spring, crosses the river.
Check. The commas mark the extra information. ✓
Method. Think about how formal each device is.
- Compare. Commas are neutral; dashes are more informal, and they draw attention.neutral, informal
- Decide. Dashes are the more informal device.dashes
- Write the answer. dashes
Check. Dashes are more informal. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a pair of dashes or a pair of commas must come in a pair. Do not use one dash, or only one comma, to mark extra information.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read the same sentence with brackets, then with dashes, then with commas. Ask which one sounds most natural to them.
Exercise 9B Practice: dashes and commas for extra information
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is built in 1400.built in 1400
- Mark it. Put a pair of dashes before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The castle – built in 1400 – is open to visitors today.
- Write the answer. The castle – built in 1400 – is open to visitors today.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is who lives in Leeds.who lives in Leeds
- Mark it. Put a pair of dashes before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.My sister – who lives in Leeds – is visiting us next week.
- Write the answer. My sister – who lives in Leeds – is visiting us next week.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is which was painted last spring.which was painted last spring
- Mark it. Put a pair of dashes before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The bridge – which was painted last spring – crosses the river.
- Write the answer. The bridge – which was painted last spring – crosses the river.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is a tall man in a green coat.a tall man in a green coat
- Mark it. Put a pair of commas before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The farmer, a tall man in a green coat, waved from the gate.
- Write the answer. The farmer, a tall man in a green coat, waved from the gate.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is Mrs Patel.Mrs Patel
- Mark it. Put a pair of commas before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.Our teacher, Mrs Patel, organised the trip.
- Write the answer. Our teacher, Mrs Patel, organised the trip.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is swollen by the rain.swollen by the rain
- Mark it. Put a pair of commas before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The river, swollen by the rain, rose over the path.
- Write the answer. The river, swollen by the rain, rose over the path.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. The pair of commas goes around the extra information, and both are present.My sister, who lives in Leeds, is visiting us. fits
- Reject the other choices. The first sentence has only one comma, so the extra information is not marked.My sister, who lives in Leeds is visiting us. do not fit
- Write the answer. My sister, who lives in Leeds, is visiting us.
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Find the words between the dashes.
- Find the dashes. The dashes enclose the extra information.– –
- Copy the words. The words between the dashes are a tall man in a green coat.a tall man in a green coat
- Write the answer. a tall man in a green coat
Check. The words are between the dashes. ✓
Method. Think about where the extra information starts and ends.
- Find the start. The first comma shows where the extra information starts.starts
- Find the end. The second comma shows where it ends.ends
- Write the answer. Because the extra information needs a mark both before and after it, so that the reader sees where it ends.
Check. Both ends are marked. ✓
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is who lives in Leeds.who lives in Leeds
- Mark it. Put a pair of dashes before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.My sister – who lives in Leeds – is visiting us next week.
- Write the answer. My sister – who lives in Leeds – is visiting us next week.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Put a comma before and after the extra information.
- Find the extra information. Which has few visitors describes the village.which has few visitors
- Add the commas. A comma goes before and after it.The village, which has few visitors, is quiet in winter.
- Write the answer. The village, which has few visitors, is quiet in winter.
Check. The commas mark the extra information. ✓
Method. Look at the marks around the extra information.
- Look at the marks. Round brackets are around built in 1400.( )
- Name the device. Round brackets are the device.brackets
- Write the answer. brackets
Check. Round brackets are used. ✓
Method. Write the main sentence, then add the extra information between two dashes.
- Write the main sentence. The dog ran across the park is complete.The dog ran across the park
- Add the dashes. A small brown terrier is the extra information between dashes.a small brown terrier
- Write the answer. The dog – a small brown terrier – ran across the park.
Check. The dashes mark the extra information. ✓
Method. Compare the two devices.
- Look at commas. Commas are neutral and everyday.neutral
- Look at dashes. Dashes are more informal and draw attention.informal
- Write the answer. Commas are more neutral, while dashes are more informal and draw attention to the extra information
Check. Commas are the neutral device. ✓
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is swollen by the rain.swollen by the rain
- Mark it. Put a pair of commas before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The river, swollen by the rain, rose over the path.
- Write the answer. The river, swollen by the rain, rose over the path.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Commas that make the meaning clear
A comma can make the meaning clear, and it can stop a sentence being read in two ways. This is called ambiguity. The comma tells the reader who is being spoken to, or what goes with what.
Ambiguous and clear
| Ambiguous | Clear with a comma | What the comma shows |
|---|---|---|
| Let's eat Grandma. | Let's eat, Grandma. | Grandma is being spoken to, and the family will eat. |
Key ideas
- A comma can show who is being spoken to.
- A comma can show what goes with what, and prevent a misreading.
- Read the sentence both ways, and choose the comma that gives the meaning you want.
Method. Decide whether Grandma is the person being spoken to.
- Read it both ways. Without the comma, Grandma could be eaten, which is not meant.Let's eat Grandma.
- Decide the meaning. Grandma is the person being spoken to, so a comma goes after eat.eat,
- Write the sentence. The comma shows that Grandma is spoken to.Let's eat, Grandma.
- Write the answer. Let's eat, Grandma.
Check. The comma shows who is being addressed. ✓
Method. Decide who is being thanked, and where the comma helps.
- Read it. The sentence thanks Mum and Dad, who are addressed directly.Mum and Dad
- Add the comma. A comma after thank you shows that Mum and Dad are spoken to.you,
- Write the sentence. The comma makes the meaning clear.Thank you, Mum and Dad.
- Write the answer. Thank you, Mum and Dad.
Check. The comma shows who is spoken to. ✓
Method. Look at the name of the person.
- Find the name. Grandma is a name for the person addressed.Grandma
- Choose the comma. The comma goes between eat and Grandma, to address her.Let's eat, Grandma
- Write the answer. Let's eat, Grandma
Check. The comma goes before the name. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a comma that is missing can change the meaning. Read the sentence aloud in your head, and check whether the reader might misread it.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read Let's eat Grandma and Let's eat, Grandma aloud, and to say which one a family would mean.
Exercise 9C Practice: commas that make the meaning clear
Method. Think about who or what the words refer to.
- Read the sentence. Without the comma, the sentence can be misread.Let's eat Grandma.
- Add the comma. The comma shows that Grandma is being spoken to, and the family will eat..Let's eat, Grandma.
- Write the answer. Let's eat, Grandma.
Check. The comma makes the meaning clear. ✓
Watch out. A comma can change who is being addressed, or what goes with what.
Method. Think about who or what the words refer to.
- Read the sentence. Without the comma, the sentence can be misread.Thank you Mum and Dad.
- Add the comma. The comma shows that the comma shows that Mum and Dad are being thanked.Thank you, Mum and Dad.
- Write the answer. Thank you, Mum and Dad.
Check. The comma makes the meaning clear. ✓
Watch out. A comma can change who is being addressed, or what goes with what.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. The comma shows that Grandma is spoken to.Let us eat, Grandma. fits
- Reject the other choices. Without the comma, the sentence could mean that Grandma is eaten.Let us eat Grandma. do not fit
- Write the answer. Let us eat, Grandma.
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Find the name of the person spoken to, and put a comma before it.
- Find the name. Sam is the person addressed.Sam
- Add the comma. A comma before the name shows who is spoken to.Come here, Sam.
- Write the answer. Come here, Sam.
Check. The comma shows who is addressed. ✓
Method. Find the name and put a comma before it.
- Find the name. Mum is the person addressed.Mum
- Add the comma. A comma before Mum shows who is thanked.Thank you, Mum.
- Write the answer. Thank you, Mum.
Check. The comma shows the person addressed. ✓
Method. Think about how the sentence can be read.
- Read it without the comma. The sentence can be read in two ways.two ways
- Read it with the comma. The comma tells the reader which way is meant.which way
- Write the answer. A comma tells the reader who is being spoken to, or what goes with what, so the sentence can only be read one way.
Check. A comma shows the intended meaning. ✓
Method. Find the person addressed, and put a comma before the name.
- Find the name. Grandma is the person addressed.Grandma
- Add the comma. A comma before Grandma shows she is addressed.Let's eat, Grandma.
- Write the answer. Let's eat, Grandma.
Check. The comma shows who is addressed. ✓
Method. Compare the two sentences.
- Read the first. Grandma is spoken to, so the family is asked to eat.spoken to
- Read the second. Without the comma, Grandma could be the food.food
- Write the answer. The first is an invitation to Grandma, while the second could suggest she is eaten
Check. The two sentences mean different things. ✓
Method. Put the name of the person in commas.
- Find the name. Ruby is the person spoken to.Ruby
- Add the commas. A comma before and after the name shows who is addressed.Ruby,
- Write the answer. Good morning, Ruby, did you sleep well.
Check. The comma shows who is spoken to. ✓
Method. Think about what the words could mean.
- Read the words. Grandma could be the food, or a person being addressed.food or person
- Name the word. Grandma is the word that could be misread.Grandma
- Write the answer. Grandma
Check. Grandma is the word. ✓
Method. Think about who or what the words refer to.
- Read the sentence. Without the comma, the sentence can be misread.Thank you Mum and Dad.
- Add the comma. The comma shows that the comma shows that Mum and Dad are being thanked.Thank you, Mum and Dad.
- Write the answer. Thank you, Mum and Dad.
Check. The comma makes the meaning clear. ✓
Watch out. A comma can change who is being addressed, or what goes with what.
Direct speech in a longer dialogue
In a longer dialogue, each time a new person speaks, start a new line. Put the spoken words in speech marks. The end mark of the words goes inside the speech marks, and a comma goes inside before a reporting clause such as said Ali.
Punctuating speech
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Question: the question mark goes inside | "Are you ready?" asked Ali. |
| Exclamation: the mark goes inside | "Hurry!" shouted Mum. |
| Statement: a comma goes inside | "I am ready," said Ella. |
Key ideas
- A new speaker starts a new line.
- Put the spoken words in speech marks.
- The end mark of the spoken words goes inside the speech marks.
Method. Put the speech in marks, with the question mark inside.
- Find the speech. The spoken words are Are you ready.Are you ready
- Add the question mark and speech marks. The question mark goes inside the speech marks."Are you ready?"
- Add the reporting clause. The reporting clause follows the speech."Are you ready?" asked Ali.
- Write the answer. "Are you ready?" asked Ali.
Check. The question mark is inside the speech marks. ✓
Method. Put the speech in marks, with a comma inside before the reporting clause.
- Find the speech. The spoken words are I am ready.I am ready
- Add the comma inside. A comma goes inside the speech marks before said Ella."I am ready,"
- Write the reporting clause. The reporting clause ends with a full stop."I am ready," said Ella.
- Write the answer. "I am ready," said Ella.
Check. The comma is inside the speech marks. ✓
Method. An exclamation mark is never followed by a comma.
- Check the first. The first has a comma after the exclamation mark.!,
- Check the second. The second has the exclamation mark, and no comma."Hurry!"
- Decide. The second is correct."Hurry!" shouted Mum.
- Write the answer. "Hurry!" shouted Mum.
Check. No comma follows an exclamation mark. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: start a new line each time a new speaker begins. Do not put two speakers in the same paragraph.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read a short dialogue aloud, with a different voice for each speaker. Ask them to point to each new line.
Exercise 9D Practice: direct speech in longer dialogue
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: Are you ready?Are you ready?
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."Are you ready?" asked Ali.
- Write the answer. "Are you ready?" asked Ali.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: Hurry!Hurry!
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."Hurry!" shouted Mum.
- Write the answer. "Hurry!" shouted Mum.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: I am ready.I am ready.
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."I am ready," said Ella.
- Write the answer. "I am ready," said Ella.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: We have finished the project.We have finished the project.
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."We have finished the project," explained Sam.
- Write the answer. "We have finished the project," explained Sam.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: Where is the bus?Where is the bus?
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."Where is the bus?" asked Priya.
- Write the answer. "Where is the bus?" asked Priya.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: The match starts at noon.The match starts at noon.
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."The match starts at noon," said Dev.
- Write the answer. "The match starts at noon," said Dev.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. The exclamation mark stays inside the speech marks, with no comma after it."Hurry!" shouted Mum. fits
- Reject the other choices. A comma after an exclamation mark is wrong."Hurry!," shouted Mum. do not fit
- Write the answer. "Hurry!" shouted Mum.
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Look at where the words end.
- Find the end of the speech. The end of the words is the end mark.end mark
- Place the mark. The mark goes inside the speech marks.inside
- Write the answer. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, before the reporting clause.
Check. The end mark is inside the speech marks. ✓
Method. Start a new line for the new speaker, and punctuate the speech.
- Find the new speaker. Ella is a new speaker, so she starts a new line.new line
- Punctuate the speech. The speech is in marks, with a comma before said Ella."I have packed everything," said Ella.
- Write the answer. "I have packed everything," said Ella.
Check. A new speaker starts a new line. ✓
Method. Put the speech in marks, with the exclamation mark inside.
- Find the speech. The words are The bus is leaving.The bus is leaving
- Punctuate. The exclamation mark goes inside the speech marks."The bus is leaving!" shouted Ali.
- Write the answer. "The bus is leaving!" shouted Ali.
Check. The exclamation mark is inside the speech marks. ✓
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: Where is the bus?Where is the bus?
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."Where is the bus?" asked Priya.
- Write the answer. "Where is the bus?" asked Priya.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Write each speaker on a new line.
- Write the first line. Shall we go now? is a question, so the mark is inside."Shall we go now?" asked Sam.
- Write the second line. Yes, let us go is a statement with a comma inside."Yes, let us go," said Ruby.
- Write the answer. "Shall we go now?" asked Sam. "Yes, let us go," said Ruby.
Check. Each speaker has a new line. ✓
Method. The question mark replaces the comma.
- Find the wrong mark. A question should end with a question mark, not a comma.comma
- Correct it. Replace the comma with a question mark inside the speech marks."Are you coming?" asked Ben.
- Write the answer. "Are you coming?" asked Ben.
Check. The question mark is inside the speech marks. ✓
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: Hurry!Hurry!
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."Hurry!" shouted Mum.
- Write the answer. "Hurry!" shouted Mum.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Think about how the reader follows the dialogue.
- Think about the reader. The reader needs to know who is speaking.who is speaking
- Think about the layout. A new line shows a new speaker clearly.new line
- Write the answer. It shows the reader that a different person is speaking, and makes the dialogue easy to follow
Check. A new line shows the change of speaker. ✓
Direct speech and reported speech compared
Direct speech gives the exact words in speech marks. Reported speech gives the meaning, without speech marks, and it usually changes the pronouns and tenses: I becomes he or she, and am becomes was.
Direct and reported speech
| Direct speech | Reported speech |
|---|---|
| "I am tired," said Ella. | Ella said that she was tired. |
| "We will win," said the captain. | The captain said that they would win. |
| "I have finished," said Sam. | Sam said that he had finished. |
Key ideas
- Reported speech has no speech marks.
- Pronouns change to the third person: I becomes he or she.
- Tenses often move back: am becomes was, and have finished becomes had finished.
Method. Change the pronoun and the tense.
- Change the pronoun. I becomes she, because Ella is a she.she
- Change the tense. Am becomes was.was
- Write the reported speech. Ella said that she was tired.Ella said that she was tired.
- Write the answer. Ella said that she was tired.
Check. I becomes she, and am becomes was. ✓
Method. Change the pronoun and the tense.
- Change the pronoun. I becomes he, because Sam is a he.he
- Change the tense. Have finished becomes had finished.had finished
- Write the reported speech. Sam said that he had finished.Sam said that he had finished.
- Write the answer. Sam said that he had finished.
Check. have becomes had, and I becomes he. ✓
Method. Reported speech has no speech marks, and the verb moves back.
- Check the first. The first has speech marks, so it is direct speech.speech marks
- Check the second. The second has no speech marks, so it is reported speech.no speech marks
- Decide. The second sentence is reported speech.Sam said that he was tired.
- Write the answer. Sam said that he was tired.
Check. The second sentence has no speech marks. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: reported speech has no speech marks, and no question mark. A reported question is written as a statement: He asked where the bus was.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to tell you what a friend said at school, first in direct speech, then in reported speech. Ask them which words changed.
Exercise 9E Practice: direct and reported speech
Method. Change the pronouns and tenses to match the reporting clause.
- Find the speaker. The speaker is the person named in the reporting clause.Ella
- Change the words. The pronouns change to third person, and the tense moves back.Ella said that she was tired.
- Write the answer. Ella said that she was tired.
Check. The reported sentence keeps the meaning. ✓
Watch out. In reported speech, I becomes he or she, and am becomes was.
Method. Change the pronouns and tenses to match the reporting clause.
- Find the speaker. The speaker is the person named in the reporting clause.The captain
- Change the words. The pronouns change to third person, and the tense moves back.The captain said that they would win.
- Write the answer. The captain said that they would win.
Check. The reported sentence keeps the meaning. ✓
Watch out. In reported speech, I becomes he or she, and am becomes was.
Method. Change the pronouns and tenses to match the reporting clause.
- Find the speaker. The speaker is the person named in the reporting clause.Sam
- Change the words. The pronouns change to third person, and the tense moves back.Sam said that he had finished.
- Write the answer. Sam said that he had finished.
Check. The reported sentence keeps the meaning. ✓
Watch out. In reported speech, I becomes he or she, and am becomes was.
Method. Change the pronouns and tenses to match the reporting clause.
- Find the speaker. The speaker is the person named in the reporting clause.Priya
- Change the words. The pronouns change to third person, and the tense moves back.Priya said that the bus was late.
- Write the answer. Priya said that the bus was late.
Check. The reported sentence keeps the meaning. ✓
Watch out. In reported speech, I becomes he or she, and am becomes was.
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. Reported speech has no speech marks, and the tense moves back.Priya said that the bus was late. fits
- Reject the other choices. The first has speech marks, so it is direct speech."The bus is late," said Priya. do not fit
- Write the answer. Priya said that the bus was late.
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Change will to would, and we to they.
- Change the pronoun. We becomes they, in the reported speech.they
- Change the tense. Will becomes would.would
- Write the answer. The captain said that they would win.
Check. will becomes would, and we becomes they. ✓
Method. Change the verb back, and the pronouns.
- Change was to is. Was becomes is in the direct speech.is
- Add the speech marks. The spoken words go in speech marks, with a comma inside."The bus is late," said Priya.
- Write the answer. "The bus is late," said Priya.
Check. The direct speech uses the present tense. ✓
Method. Compare the two sentences.
- Look at the marks. Reported speech has no speech marks.no speech marks
- Look at the words. Pronouns change, and tenses move back.pronouns and tenses
- Write the answer. Speech marks are removed, the pronouns change to the third person, and the tenses often move back.
Check. Speech marks, pronouns and tenses change. ✓
Method. Change the pronoun and the tense.
- Change I to he. I becomes he.he
- Change have finished to had finished. The tense moves back.had finished
- Write the answer. Sam said that he had finished.
Check. he and had finished are used. ✓
Method. Find the verb that reports the speech.
- Find the verb. Said reports what Ella stated.said
- Check the rest. Was is a verb, but it is inside the reported clause.said
- Write the answer. said
Check. said is the reporting verb. ✓
Method. Change she to I, and was to am.
- Change she. She becomes I, because Ruby is speaking.I
- Change was. Was becomes am in the direct speech.am
- Write the answer. "I am hungry," said Ruby.
Check. I and am are used. ✓
Method. Change the tense and the speech marks.
- Change started. Started becomes starts in the direct speech.starts
- Add the speech marks. The speech is in marks, with a comma before said Dev."The match starts at noon," said Dev.
- Write the answer. "The match starts at noon," said Dev.
Check. The direct speech uses the present tense. ✓
Method. Think about the sentence type.
- Think about the form. Reported speech is written as a statement.statement
- Think about the mark. The question mark belongs to direct speech only.direct speech
- Write the answer. A reported question is written as a statement, so it does not need a question mark.
Check. A reported question has no question mark. ✓
Method. Change am to was, and I to she.
- Change I to she. I becomes she, because Ella is speaking.she
- Change am to was. The tense moves back.was
- Write the answer. Ella said that she was cold.
Check. she and was are used. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Brackets | Round brackets enclose extra information that can be removed. |
| Dashes and commas | A pair of dashes or a pair of commas can also mark a parenthesis. |
| Commas for meaning | A comma can show who is addressed, or what goes with what, and prevent a misreading. |
| Dialogue | A new line for each speaker; speech marks round the words; the end mark inside them. |
| Reported speech | No speech marks; pronouns change; tenses often move back. |
Can you…?
- I can mark extra information with brackets, a pair of dashes or a pair of commas
- I can add a comma so that a sentence cannot be misread
- I can set out a dialogue with a new line for each speaker
- I can punctuate speech with the end mark inside the speech marks
- I can change direct speech into reported speech, and back again
Key terms
- parenthesis
- extra information in a sentence that can be removed without losing the main meaning
- ambiguity
- when a sentence can be read in more than one way
- dialogue
- the words spoken between two or more people in a text
- reporting clause
- the words that say who is speaking, such as said Ella
- direct speech
- the exact spoken words, in speech marks
- reported speech
- the meaning of what was said, without speech marks, often with the tense moved back
Exercise 9Z Check-up
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is built in 1400.built in 1400
- Mark it. Put round brackets before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.The castle (built in 1400) is open today.
- Write the answer. The castle (built in 1400) is open today.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Find the extra information, then put a mark before and after it.
- Find the extra information. The extra information is who lives in Leeds.who lives in Leeds
- Mark it. Put a pair of commas before and after it, so the sentence still makes sense without it.My sister, who lives in Leeds, is visiting us next week.
- Write the answer. My sister, who lives in Leeds, is visiting us next week.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the extra information. ✓
Watch out. Parenthesis is extra information that can be removed. The main sentence must still make sense.
Method. Think about who or what the words refer to.
- Read the sentence. Without the comma, the sentence can be misread.Let's eat Grandma.
- Add the comma. The comma shows that Grandma is being spoken to.Let's eat, Grandma.
- Write the answer. Let's eat, Grandma.
Check. The comma makes the meaning clear. ✓
Watch out. A comma can change who is being addressed, or what goes with what.
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: Are you ready?Are you ready?
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."Are you ready?" asked Ali.
- Write the answer. "Are you ready?" asked Ali.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then the reporting clause.
- Find the spoken words. The words spoken are: I am ready.I am ready.
- Punctuate. The end mark goes inside the speech marks, and the reporting clause follows."I am ready," said Ella.
- Write the answer. "I am ready," said Ella.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Watch out. When the speech ends with a question or exclamation mark, do not add a comma before the reporting clause.
Method. Change the pronouns and tenses to match the reporting clause.
- Find the speaker. The speaker is the person named in the reporting clause.Sam
- Change the words. The pronouns change to third person, and the tense moves back.Sam said that he had finished.
- Write the answer. Sam said that he had finished.
Check. The reported sentence keeps the meaning. ✓
Watch out. In reported speech, I becomes he or she, and am becomes was.
Method. Find the extra information and bracket it.
- Find the extra information. Which was painted last spring gives extra detail.which was painted last spring
- Bracket it. The round brackets enclose the detail.The bridge (which was painted last spring) crosses the river.
- Write the answer. The bridge (which was painted last spring) crosses the river.
Check. The sentence makes sense without the brackets. ✓
Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.
- Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
- Test the choice. The exclamation mark stays inside the speech marks."Hurry!" shouted Mum. fits
- Reject the other choices. A comma after an exclamation mark is wrong."Hurry!," shouted Mum. do not fit
- Write the answer. "Hurry!" shouted Mum.
Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓
Method. Compare the two devices.
- Look at commas. A pair of commas is neutral.neutral
- Look at brackets. Brackets make the extra information more separate.separate
- Write the answer. Both mark extra information; commas are neutral and brackets make it more separate.
Check. Both devices mark extra information. ✓
Method. Change she to I, and was to am.
- Change she. She becomes I.I
- Change was. Was becomes am.am
- Write the answer. "I am hungry," said Ruby.
Check. I and am are used. ✓
Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.
Exercise 9X Practice test questions
Method. Find the extra information, and put a comma before and after it.
- Find the extra information. A tall man in a green coat describes the farmer.a tall man in a green coat
- Add the commas. A comma goes before and after it.The farmer, a tall man in a green coat, waved from the gate.
- Write the answer. The farmer, a tall man in a green coat, waved from the gate.
Check. The commas mark the extra information. ✓
Method. Commas are the neutral device.
- Compare the devices. Commas are neutral, and dashes are more informal.neutral
- Name the device. Commas are the neutral device.commas
- Write the answer. commas
Check. Commas are neutral. ✓
Method. Find the person addressed, and put a comma before the name.
- Find the name. Mum is the person addressed.Mum
- Add the comma. A comma before Mum shows who is thanked.Thank you, Mum.
- Write the answer. Thank you, Mum.
Check. The comma shows the person addressed. ✓
Method. Put the speech in marks, with the exclamation mark inside.
- Find the speech. The spoken words are Hurry.Hurry
- Punctuate it. The exclamation mark goes inside the speech marks, with no comma after it."Hurry!" shouted Mum.
- Write the answer. "Hurry!" shouted Mum.
Check. The exclamation mark is inside the speech marks. ✓
Method. Change I to she, and am to was.
- Change the pronoun. I becomes she.she
- Change the tense. Am becomes was.was
- Write the answer. Ella said that she was cold.
Check. she and was are used. ✓
Method. Think about how the reader follows the dialogue.
- Think about the reader. The reader needs to know who is speaking.who is speaking
- Think about the layout. A new line shows a new speaker.new line
- Write the answer. A new line shows the reader that another person is speaking.
Check. A new line shows the change of speaker. ✓
Method. Find the extra information, then bracket it.
- Find the extra information. Founded in 1860 gives extra detail about the school.founded in 1860
- Bracket it. The brackets go around it, and the sentence still makes sense.The school (founded in 1860) has a large garden.
- Write the answer. The school (founded in 1860) has a large garden.
Check. The sentence still makes sense without the brackets. ✓
Method. Decide who is being spoken to.
- Find the name. Grandma is the person addressed.Grandma
- Explain the change. Without the comma, Grandma could be the food.food
- Write the answer. The comma shows that Grandma is the person spoken to.
Check. The comma shows who is addressed. ✓
Method. Put the spoken words in speech marks, then add the reporting clause.
- Write the spoken words. Sam is cross, so the words could be a complaint.Not again
- Add the mark and the clause. The exclamation mark goes inside, then said Sam."Not again!" said Sam.
- Write the answer. "Not again!" said Sam.
Check. The punctuation follows the rules for direct speech. ✓
Method. Change was to is, and add the speech marks.
- Change the tense. Was becomes is in the direct speech.is
- Add the speech marks. The comma goes inside the speech marks before said Priya."The bus is late," said Priya.
- Write the answer. "The bus is late," said Priya.
Check. The direct speech uses the present tense. ✓