Mastering Comma Usage with Quotation Marks in Dialogue

This video tutorial from Sparkle English teaches how to use commas with quotation marks in American English. It covers three main rules: using commas to introduce quotes, using commas after quotes, and using commas with interrupted quotations. The tutorial includes examples and a quiz to reinforce learning. Viewers are encouraged to purchase an ebook for more detailed punctuation rules.

What are quotation marks used for?

• To indicate a pause in a sentence

• To show direct speech or a quotation

• To end a sentence

• To separate items in a list

When introducing a complete sentence quote, where should the comma be placed?

• Before the speaker tag

• After the quotation mark

• Before the quotation mark

• After the period

In the sentence 'The teacher said, "The test is tomorrow."', what is the role of the comma?

• To show excitement

• To indicate a pause

• To end the sentence

• To separate the speaker tag from the quote

How should a sentence be punctuated if the speaker tag comes after a quote that ends in a period?

• With a comma inside the quotation mark

• With no punctuation

• With a period inside the quotation mark

• With a comma outside the quotation mark

What punctuation mark should replace a period when the speaker tag follows a quote?

• A comma

• An exclamation mark

• A colon

• A semicolon

In the sentence 'The test is tomorrow,' the teacher said, 'so I hope everyone has been studying,' where should the commas be placed?

• After 'tomorrow' and 'said'

• After 'said' and 'studying'

• After 'tomorrow' and 'studying'

• After 'tomorrow' and 'studying'

When should a period be used instead of a comma after the speaker tag?

• When the second part of the quote is a dependent clause

• When the first part of the quote is an independent clause

• When both parts of the quote are independent clauses

• When the quote is a question

In the sentence 'The election results are in,' the news anchor announced, 'and Elizabeth Swann is our new president,' where should the commas be placed?

• After 'announced' and 'president'

• After 'in' and 'president'

• After 'in' and 'announced'

• After 'in' and 'Swann'

What is the correct punctuation for the sentence: 'Have you ever been to Europe,' Ben asked?

• With no punctuation

• With a comma inside the quotation mark

• With a question mark inside the quotation mark

• With a period inside the quotation mark

In the sentence 'When I'm really tired,' she confessed, 'I usually just sleep on the couch,' why is a comma used after 'confessed'?

• Because 'I usually just sleep on the couch' is a dependent clause

• Because 'When I'm really tired' is a dependent clause

• Because 'When I'm really tired' is an independent clause

• Because 'I usually just sleep on the couch' is a question