Comma to Separate a Direct Quotation
The Comma
Rulebase Summary
Use a comma (or a pair of commas) to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence. The comma is always placed inside the closing quotation mark. When words are used to replace punctuation or indicate pronunciation, set them off with commas.
Morson's Rule 49 · p.32–33 BGGP Quotes.17 · p.116 BGGP Separating Comma.24 · p.192 BGGP Setting-Off Comma.9 · p.223
Examples
✗
A. He turned to me and said "Get out of my house."
✓
A. He turned to me and said, "Get out of my house."
Comma before the direct quotation.
✗
A. "I never signed that document" she told the officer.
✓
A. "I never signed that document," she told the officer.
Comma inside closing quote separates the quotation.
Transcript Notes
Reporters may encounter speakers who dictate punctuation aloud or use words like 'slash' or 'period' as part of their speech. Use commas around these replacement words.
Style Guide References (4)
Morson's
Rule 49
Page 32–33
BGGP
Quotes.17
Page 116
BGGP
Separating Comma.24
Page 192
BGGP
Setting-Off Comma.9
Page 223
See also (6)
Compare Colon Before Formal Quotations from Documents or Speeches Compare Punctuation Before Quotation Marks Based on Grammar See Punctuation to Close Off Direct Discourse and Non-Lead-In Words See Handling Spoken 'Quote' and 'Unquote' in Testimony Related No Quotation Marks with Indirect Discourse Related Sentence Continues After the Quoted Material