1. alan-kinsella

    alan-kinsella New Member

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    Speech

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by alan-kinsella, Feb 3, 2009.

    Can I do the following:

    I went to the shop and asked, "How much is this?".

    Or do I have to start on a new line like this:

    I went to the shop and asked,
    "How much is this?".

    Thanks, Alan.
     
  2. NaCl

    NaCl Contributor Contributor

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    There should be no period after the final quotation mark. Otherwise, it is correct.
     
  3. TWErvin2

    TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

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    NaCl is correct (as usual :) ). Generally speaking, a new person talking = a new paragraph with dialogue.

    Terry
     
  4. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    As NaCl said, you don't put a period after the closing quote. Also, the quoted text and the tag (I asked, in this case) are part of the same sentence, so it is incorrect to put a line break (which really would make it a new paragraph) in between.

    For more info about dialogue formatting and punctuation, check out He said, she said - Mechanics of Dialogue.
     
  5. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    ditto all o' that!
     
  6. alan-kinsella

    alan-kinsella New Member

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    Thanks for the help guys !
     

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