So when a character speaks after/while performing an action Is it, "Like this?" Or is it. "Like this?" so... The officer sighed, "Is that all?" or The officer sighed. "Is that all?" I'm pretty sure it's the first one, just posting here for confirmation.
Sighed is not really appropriate as a tag verb, even though some people may treat it as one. Dictionary.com does give a definition as a transitive verb, but I find it nonsensical to vocalize a sentence into a sigh. Therefore, I am treating as a beat rather than a tag. As a beat, it goes in the same paragraph as the dialog element, but as a separate sentence. A tag also goes in the same paragraph, but is part of the sentence containing the quote fragment: This should make it clearer, with a verb that cannot reasonably be mistaken for a tag: See also: He said, she said - Mechanics of Dialogue
Oh, it wasn't intended as a tag verb - simply an action carried out before the dialogue. So sighed, then spoke. Separated by a full stop of course.
I think it's transitive because of constructions like "He sighed a heavy sigh." I agree that it doesn't work at all well as a tag for a speech act. (To be honest, I don't think it works well in "He sighed a heavy sigh" either, because it sounds cliched, but at least it makes sense there.)
A little googling clarified "sigh" as a transitive verb. The MSN encarta dictionary provided a definition and an example of this usage. I agree with Cog. 1. Tags should use the comma. 2. Beats should use the period. 3. In this particular case, you may want to use a different beat, or break it up, so the word isn't confused for a tag. Just a suggestion: Since you said there was a full stop, you may want to add one or more additional actions to the sentence. The officer sighed, folding his arms and stepping around the vehicle. He shook his head. "Is that all?" You might not need three actions, as in this example, and I'm sure you can improve on it, but you get the idea. Charlie
Nah. Some people with attitudes (or walking around on really cold days dressed in tee shirts) can walk around for hours with their arms folded. Assuming they're not walking on their hands, of course. Charlie
I've been reading far more than writing the past while and have seen it done both ways. That, of course, means very little. My own perference is the former, I think it ties the action to the comments, and is, therefore, easier for me to follow. However the latter may have it's place in creating suspense or what have you.
Well, if the person was doing squat-kicks, it would be hard to walk around the vehicle. 'Course, if the person was doing that, I'd include some more details of the kicks. It would also change the position of the comma, naturally, since everyone knows that grammar changes when discussing Cossack dancers.
