complex dialog punctuation

[Gagoots]

Complex issue:

OK.
I have a line of dialog where the person is directly quoting another person.
I understand this to be
" - for the person speaking
' for the quotes inside the quotes

BUT...

the person says: "does this ring a bell? '

or should it be

"does this ring a bell: '

OR....

"does this ring a bell?: '

hmmm....

[Crazy Ivan]

Either of the two first ones should work, but DEFINITELY not the last one. Also, the 2 then 1 rule applies in America, but in England, it's ' THEN ".

[Banzai]

Ivan is right, but just to clear up his last point:

In England ' is used for speech, and " for quotes.

[mammamaia]

colon wouldn't be used for dialog... but if it's a quoted written piece and the original has a colon, then it would be used...

[Gagoots]

Thanks, guys.

I guess the main question was that - if I come to a point inside dialog where the person is asking a question at a point where you would use a colon, do you use both...

so now I see.

thanks!

[mammamaia]

I guess the main question was that - if I come to a point inside dialog where the person is asking a question at a point where you would use a colon, do you use both...

...you wouldn't properly use a colon for dialog in any case, so i don't get what you're saying there... if you mean a person asks a question and then continues the dialog, this is how it could be done [i'm guessing at what you wanted]:


"Does this ring a bell? 'Do not go gentle into that good night.' It's by Dylan Thomas, in case you forgot!" She gave him a wicked wink and went out, leaving him standing there with a blank look on his face.

[Gagoots]

...you wouldn't properly use a colon for dialog in any case, so i don't get what you're saying there... if you mean a person asks a question and then continues the dialog, this is how it could be done [i'm guessing at what you wanted]:

You are exactly right. Thank-you!