Commas and Dialogue and Nonessential Elements

Commas and Dialogue and Nonessential Elements

Commas and Dialogue

• Only the exact words of the speaker go inside quotation marks

• The expression identifying the speaker is called a dialogue tag.

• Ex. Marcus declared

• The dialogue tag can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of the dialogue.

• Before the quote: The comma always follows the dialogue tag. The beginning letter of the quote is always capitalized. The end punctuation goes on the inside of the quotation mark.

• Ex- Jon asked, “Where did everyone go?”

• After the quote: If the dialogue tag is at the end of the sentence, put a comma on the inside of the end quotation mark.

• Ex- “Every one decided to go,” said Jon.

• If the sentence would normally end with a period, substitute a comma. An exception to this rule is end marks for questions or exclamations (e.g., “Where did everyone go?” asked Jon.

• In the middle of the quote: When the dialogue tag is in the middle, a comma follows the first part of the quote and the dialogue tag. At the end the end punctuation goes on the inside of the quotation mark.

• Ex- "I have two dogs,” said Jane, “that fight all the time.”

Multiple Choice

Which of the following correctly punctuated?

• "Sam said," All you need is paper.

• Sam said, "All you need is paper."

• Sam said "All you need is paper."

• Sam said, "All you need is paper".

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is correctly punctuated?

• "you don't need scissors," Aaliyah told Chris.

• You don't need scissors, " Aaliyah told Chris."

• "You don't need scissors", Aaliyah told Chris.

• "You don't need scissors," Aaliyah told Chris.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• According to the map Brandy whispered we are very close to the hidden treasure.

• "According to the map," Brandy whispered, "we are very close to the hidden treasure."

• "According to the map" Brandy whispered, "we are very close to the hidden treasure."

• According to the map, Brandy whispered, "we are very close to the hidden treasure."

Commas and Nonessential elements

• Nonessential means that it is extra information that is not essential to the sentence. It can be removed or moved and not change the meaning of the sentence.

• Set off nonessential elements with commas.

• It can be a word, phrase, or clause.

• Ex- The average world temperature, however, has continued to rise significantly.

• Ex- Company managers, seeking higher profits, hired temporary workers to replace full-time staff.

• Ex- My uncle, who is eighty years old, walks three miles every day.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence contains correct comma placement?

• The Suez Canal which was completed in 1869 is 107 miles long.
• The Suez Canal, which was completed in 1869 is 107 miles long.
• The Suez Canal which was completed in 1869, is 107 miles long.
• The Suez Canal, which was completed in 1869, is 107 miles long.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Jake my black, and white cat, loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

• Jake, my black and white cat, loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

• Jake my black and white cat loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

• Jake, my black and white cat loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

Multiple Choice

Which is correctly punctuated?

• Patterson Tower the recently completed office building, is a monument to concrete ugliness.

• Patterson Tower, the recently completed office building, is a monument to concrete ugliness.

• Patterson Tower the recently completed office building is a, monument to concrete, ugliness.

• Patterson Tower, the recently completed office building is a monument to concrete ugliness.

Multiple Choice

John decided nonetheless not to buy the car.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

He did not, however, intend to return the money he borrowed.

• Correct

• Incorrect