Direct Quotation Comma Rules

When using a direct quotation, you want to make it clear who is speaking.

Using attributive tags makes direct quotations easier! The comma is placed after the attributive tag.

Attributive Tags are verbs that introduce the quote. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

If the word “that” is stated after the speaker’s name, you do not need a comma.

• Example: The author stated that “Our choices determine our destiny.”

There is one phrase that is an attributive tag, which is according to [insert name of person here]. These tags can be found at the beginning or end of a sentence. The comma is placed outside opening quotation marks and inside closing quotation marks.

Examples

• The author said, “I need to sell more books to make my quota!” OPENING QUOTATION MARKS
• “The problem is,” the author stated, “that no one has money anymore to buy books.” CLOSING QUOTATIONS

Resource

• “Comma Between Direct Quote and Attributive Tag.” Grammarly Handbook. Grammarly, Inc. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.