When should the dialogue reference be written, before or after the dialogue?How to elegantly convey the finer nuances of language in written formReferring to sign language in conversationsHow to format multiple inner voices, differentiating the text from dialogue? and omnipresent inner voicePunctuation before / after em dash and speech markPunctuation help needed — first-time novelistWhen not to use commas before dialogue (and capitals)Capitalisation after punctuation in dialogueCapitalization after interrupted dialogueColloquial speech in pre-modern settingPunctuation when using inline dialogue
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When should the dialogue reference be written, before or after the dialogue?
How to elegantly convey the finer nuances of language in written formReferring to sign language in conversationsHow to format multiple inner voices, differentiating the text from dialogue? and omnipresent inner voicePunctuation before / after em dash and speech markPunctuation help needed — first-time novelistWhen not to use commas before dialogue (and capitals)Capitalisation after punctuation in dialogueCapitalization after interrupted dialogueColloquial speech in pre-modern settingPunctuation when using inline dialogue
This might be a very trivial question but I don't know what to google to get an answer so asking anyways.
In this dialogue;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me." He commented.
The phrase 'He Commented', should it come before or after what he commented. I also tried reading some novels I have downloaded to see what others have done. It seems both ways are used. I am not able to understand how its decided.
Also;
He commented that,"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly making any effect on me."
How to know the usage of 'that' here? Is 'that' redundant here?
Also about punctuation;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me," He commented.
Should there be comma or full-stop at '...effect on me," He commented.
dialogue punctuation grammar
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
add a comment |
This might be a very trivial question but I don't know what to google to get an answer so asking anyways.
In this dialogue;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me." He commented.
The phrase 'He Commented', should it come before or after what he commented. I also tried reading some novels I have downloaded to see what others have done. It seems both ways are used. I am not able to understand how its decided.
Also;
He commented that,"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly making any effect on me."
How to know the usage of 'that' here? Is 'that' redundant here?
Also about punctuation;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me," He commented.
Should there be comma or full-stop at '...effect on me," He commented.
dialogue punctuation grammar
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
1
You're asking three different questions here. The first is on-topic, the second two are better-suited for English.SE, though I am almost certain they would have been asked there before.
– F1Krazy
8 hours ago
@F1Krazy yes I agree, I have almost spammed...
– cool_bodhi
6 hours ago
add a comment |
This might be a very trivial question but I don't know what to google to get an answer so asking anyways.
In this dialogue;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me." He commented.
The phrase 'He Commented', should it come before or after what he commented. I also tried reading some novels I have downloaded to see what others have done. It seems both ways are used. I am not able to understand how its decided.
Also;
He commented that,"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly making any effect on me."
How to know the usage of 'that' here? Is 'that' redundant here?
Also about punctuation;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me," He commented.
Should there be comma or full-stop at '...effect on me," He commented.
dialogue punctuation grammar
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
This might be a very trivial question but I don't know what to google to get an answer so asking anyways.
In this dialogue;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me." He commented.
The phrase 'He Commented', should it come before or after what he commented. I also tried reading some novels I have downloaded to see what others have done. It seems both ways are used. I am not able to understand how its decided.
Also;
He commented that,"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly making any effect on me."
How to know the usage of 'that' here? Is 'that' redundant here?
Also about punctuation;
"I have such a miserable cold, your sarcastic remarks are hardly
making any effect on me," He commented.
Should there be comma or full-stop at '...effect on me," He commented.
dialogue punctuation grammar
dialogue punctuation grammar
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
cool_bodhicool_bodhi
34711 bronze badges
34711 bronze badges
1
You're asking three different questions here. The first is on-topic, the second two are better-suited for English.SE, though I am almost certain they would have been asked there before.
– F1Krazy
8 hours ago
@F1Krazy yes I agree, I have almost spammed...
– cool_bodhi
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1
You're asking three different questions here. The first is on-topic, the second two are better-suited for English.SE, though I am almost certain they would have been asked there before.
– F1Krazy
8 hours ago
@F1Krazy yes I agree, I have almost spammed...
– cool_bodhi
6 hours ago
1
1
You're asking three different questions here. The first is on-topic, the second two are better-suited for English.SE, though I am almost certain they would have been asked there before.
– F1Krazy
8 hours ago
You're asking three different questions here. The first is on-topic, the second two are better-suited for English.SE, though I am almost certain they would have been asked there before.
– F1Krazy
8 hours ago
@F1Krazy yes I agree, I have almost spammed...
– cool_bodhi
6 hours ago
@F1Krazy yes I agree, I have almost spammed...
– cool_bodhi
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
It depends on the context. If you think it is clear to a reader who is speaking, don't use a tag.
If you think it will not be clear who is speaking, put the tag first, to orient the reader, so the speech is not disembodied until the end.
Also put the tag first if you will use something besides "said":
Richard screamed, "Don't bother me!"
Your first example is wrong, if a tag follows, the statement ends in a comma.
"Don't bother me," he said.
The use of an end tag is typically a device to avoid awkwardness in continuing in the same paragraph with additional exposition.
"Don't bother me," he said, and rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
But it can be avoided, and save words, if it is clear.
"Don't bother me." He rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
Personally I find the second version stronger, and seldom use tags following the speech.
You can also avoid tags and enhance the dialogue by using action cues.
Mary hesitated, then picked up Richard's two hundreds and handed them to Bill. "Alright. Let's do it."
Mark frowned, then turned back to the mirror and continued shaving. "Really? I must have driven right past that."
These increase the visuals, tell the reader who is talking, and avoid "said" tags completely. When you read them, the visual of the action (and what is going on in the scene) also clues the reader into the tones, so you can avoid characterizing the tone of the speech, like "Mary said resignedly" or "Mark museed" or whatever.
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
This is the first time I see the advice to not use non-say verbs after the dialogue. What's the reasoning for this?
– Llewellyn
5 hours ago
@Llewellyn What's the reasoning for this? The reason is simple mechanics; people read from left to right. So if you tell them after they have already read the dialogue, then they didn't read it the way you intended, and they either have to read it again with the emotion, volume or tone you provided, or they don't bother but then what they "heard" in their imagination was neutral, and their imagination of the line is not as impactful as you hoped. "said" is the only neutral. If you want your modifier to influence how the reader imagines the dialogue spoken, they need to read it first.
– Amadeus
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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It depends on the context. If you think it is clear to a reader who is speaking, don't use a tag.
If you think it will not be clear who is speaking, put the tag first, to orient the reader, so the speech is not disembodied until the end.
Also put the tag first if you will use something besides "said":
Richard screamed, "Don't bother me!"
Your first example is wrong, if a tag follows, the statement ends in a comma.
"Don't bother me," he said.
The use of an end tag is typically a device to avoid awkwardness in continuing in the same paragraph with additional exposition.
"Don't bother me," he said, and rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
But it can be avoided, and save words, if it is clear.
"Don't bother me." He rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
Personally I find the second version stronger, and seldom use tags following the speech.
You can also avoid tags and enhance the dialogue by using action cues.
Mary hesitated, then picked up Richard's two hundreds and handed them to Bill. "Alright. Let's do it."
Mark frowned, then turned back to the mirror and continued shaving. "Really? I must have driven right past that."
These increase the visuals, tell the reader who is talking, and avoid "said" tags completely. When you read them, the visual of the action (and what is going on in the scene) also clues the reader into the tones, so you can avoid characterizing the tone of the speech, like "Mary said resignedly" or "Mark museed" or whatever.
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
This is the first time I see the advice to not use non-say verbs after the dialogue. What's the reasoning for this?
– Llewellyn
5 hours ago
@Llewellyn What's the reasoning for this? The reason is simple mechanics; people read from left to right. So if you tell them after they have already read the dialogue, then they didn't read it the way you intended, and they either have to read it again with the emotion, volume or tone you provided, or they don't bother but then what they "heard" in their imagination was neutral, and their imagination of the line is not as impactful as you hoped. "said" is the only neutral. If you want your modifier to influence how the reader imagines the dialogue spoken, they need to read it first.
– Amadeus
1 hour ago
add a comment |
It depends on the context. If you think it is clear to a reader who is speaking, don't use a tag.
If you think it will not be clear who is speaking, put the tag first, to orient the reader, so the speech is not disembodied until the end.
Also put the tag first if you will use something besides "said":
Richard screamed, "Don't bother me!"
Your first example is wrong, if a tag follows, the statement ends in a comma.
"Don't bother me," he said.
The use of an end tag is typically a device to avoid awkwardness in continuing in the same paragraph with additional exposition.
"Don't bother me," he said, and rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
But it can be avoided, and save words, if it is clear.
"Don't bother me." He rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
Personally I find the second version stronger, and seldom use tags following the speech.
You can also avoid tags and enhance the dialogue by using action cues.
Mary hesitated, then picked up Richard's two hundreds and handed them to Bill. "Alright. Let's do it."
Mark frowned, then turned back to the mirror and continued shaving. "Really? I must have driven right past that."
These increase the visuals, tell the reader who is talking, and avoid "said" tags completely. When you read them, the visual of the action (and what is going on in the scene) also clues the reader into the tones, so you can avoid characterizing the tone of the speech, like "Mary said resignedly" or "Mark museed" or whatever.
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
This is the first time I see the advice to not use non-say verbs after the dialogue. What's the reasoning for this?
– Llewellyn
5 hours ago
@Llewellyn What's the reasoning for this? The reason is simple mechanics; people read from left to right. So if you tell them after they have already read the dialogue, then they didn't read it the way you intended, and they either have to read it again with the emotion, volume or tone you provided, or they don't bother but then what they "heard" in their imagination was neutral, and their imagination of the line is not as impactful as you hoped. "said" is the only neutral. If you want your modifier to influence how the reader imagines the dialogue spoken, they need to read it first.
– Amadeus
1 hour ago
add a comment |
It depends on the context. If you think it is clear to a reader who is speaking, don't use a tag.
If you think it will not be clear who is speaking, put the tag first, to orient the reader, so the speech is not disembodied until the end.
Also put the tag first if you will use something besides "said":
Richard screamed, "Don't bother me!"
Your first example is wrong, if a tag follows, the statement ends in a comma.
"Don't bother me," he said.
The use of an end tag is typically a device to avoid awkwardness in continuing in the same paragraph with additional exposition.
"Don't bother me," he said, and rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
But it can be avoided, and save words, if it is clear.
"Don't bother me." He rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
Personally I find the second version stronger, and seldom use tags following the speech.
You can also avoid tags and enhance the dialogue by using action cues.
Mary hesitated, then picked up Richard's two hundreds and handed them to Bill. "Alright. Let's do it."
Mark frowned, then turned back to the mirror and continued shaving. "Really? I must have driven right past that."
These increase the visuals, tell the reader who is talking, and avoid "said" tags completely. When you read them, the visual of the action (and what is going on in the scene) also clues the reader into the tones, so you can avoid characterizing the tone of the speech, like "Mary said resignedly" or "Mark museed" or whatever.
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
It depends on the context. If you think it is clear to a reader who is speaking, don't use a tag.
If you think it will not be clear who is speaking, put the tag first, to orient the reader, so the speech is not disembodied until the end.
Also put the tag first if you will use something besides "said":
Richard screamed, "Don't bother me!"
Your first example is wrong, if a tag follows, the statement ends in a comma.
"Don't bother me," he said.
The use of an end tag is typically a device to avoid awkwardness in continuing in the same paragraph with additional exposition.
"Don't bother me," he said, and rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
But it can be avoided, and save words, if it is clear.
"Don't bother me." He rolled over in the bed, turning his back on her.
Personally I find the second version stronger, and seldom use tags following the speech.
You can also avoid tags and enhance the dialogue by using action cues.
Mary hesitated, then picked up Richard's two hundreds and handed them to Bill. "Alright. Let's do it."
Mark frowned, then turned back to the mirror and continued shaving. "Really? I must have driven right past that."
These increase the visuals, tell the reader who is talking, and avoid "said" tags completely. When you read them, the visual of the action (and what is going on in the scene) also clues the reader into the tones, so you can avoid characterizing the tone of the speech, like "Mary said resignedly" or "Mark museed" or whatever.
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
answered 8 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
65.9k7 gold badges83 silver badges213 bronze badges
This is the first time I see the advice to not use non-say verbs after the dialogue. What's the reasoning for this?
– Llewellyn
5 hours ago
@Llewellyn What's the reasoning for this? The reason is simple mechanics; people read from left to right. So if you tell them after they have already read the dialogue, then they didn't read it the way you intended, and they either have to read it again with the emotion, volume or tone you provided, or they don't bother but then what they "heard" in their imagination was neutral, and their imagination of the line is not as impactful as you hoped. "said" is the only neutral. If you want your modifier to influence how the reader imagines the dialogue spoken, they need to read it first.
– Amadeus
1 hour ago
add a comment |
This is the first time I see the advice to not use non-say verbs after the dialogue. What's the reasoning for this?
– Llewellyn
5 hours ago
@Llewellyn What's the reasoning for this? The reason is simple mechanics; people read from left to right. So if you tell them after they have already read the dialogue, then they didn't read it the way you intended, and they either have to read it again with the emotion, volume or tone you provided, or they don't bother but then what they "heard" in their imagination was neutral, and their imagination of the line is not as impactful as you hoped. "said" is the only neutral. If you want your modifier to influence how the reader imagines the dialogue spoken, they need to read it first.
– Amadeus
1 hour ago
This is the first time I see the advice to not use non-say verbs after the dialogue. What's the reasoning for this?
– Llewellyn
5 hours ago
This is the first time I see the advice to not use non-say verbs after the dialogue. What's the reasoning for this?
– Llewellyn
5 hours ago
@Llewellyn What's the reasoning for this? The reason is simple mechanics; people read from left to right. So if you tell them after they have already read the dialogue, then they didn't read it the way you intended, and they either have to read it again with the emotion, volume or tone you provided, or they don't bother but then what they "heard" in their imagination was neutral, and their imagination of the line is not as impactful as you hoped. "said" is the only neutral. If you want your modifier to influence how the reader imagines the dialogue spoken, they need to read it first.
– Amadeus
1 hour ago
@Llewellyn What's the reasoning for this? The reason is simple mechanics; people read from left to right. So if you tell them after they have already read the dialogue, then they didn't read it the way you intended, and they either have to read it again with the emotion, volume or tone you provided, or they don't bother but then what they "heard" in their imagination was neutral, and their imagination of the line is not as impactful as you hoped. "said" is the only neutral. If you want your modifier to influence how the reader imagines the dialogue spoken, they need to read it first.
– Amadeus
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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You're asking three different questions here. The first is on-topic, the second two are better-suited for English.SE, though I am almost certain they would have been asked there before.
– F1Krazy
8 hours ago
@F1Krazy yes I agree, I have almost spammed...
– cool_bodhi
6 hours ago