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DIALOGUE: Grammar FAQ
A friend recently asked a simple dialogue question, but expressed that they had been nervous to ask for a while. So I'm just gonna put it out there. This is how you do dialogue, from a purely grammatical outlook.
A friend recently asked a simple dialogue question, but expressed that they had been nervous to ask for a while. So I'm just gonna put it out there. This is how you do dialogue, from a purely grammatical outlook.
You don't need to be afraid to ask because you aren't asking! I'm just gonna tell you how dialogue works in as many complicated forms as I can think of.
I am a copy editor by trade. Examples will be U.S. English. There are slight variations for U.K.
I am a copy editor by trade. Examples will be U.S. English. There are slight variations for U.K.
DISCLAIMER
My goal is not to preach. Or to act like I'm better than anyone. Or to shame in any way. I *happen* to have this skill set and if people are afraid to ask, I think that's silly. This is not Grand Editing Secrets. You can just have this information.
My goal is not to preach. Or to act like I'm better than anyone. Or to shame in any way. I *happen* to have this skill set and if people are afraid to ask, I think that's silly. This is not Grand Editing Secrets. You can just have this information.
1. Basic
"I like swords," he said.
Notes: Comma at the end. Period after "said." "he said" is not its own sentence so it MUST be attached to the dialogue with a comma AND lowercase "he"
"I like swords," he said.
Notes: Comma at the end. Period after "said." "he said" is not its own sentence so it MUST be attached to the dialogue with a comma AND lowercase "he"
2. Two sentences
"I like swords," he said. "I also like Ashe."
Notes: The second piece of dialogue is treated like a new sentence (period after "said," capitalized, period after "Ashe") because it IS a new sentence.
I like swords.
I also like Ashe.
Dialogue tag links them.
"I like swords," he said. "I also like Ashe."
Notes: The second piece of dialogue is treated like a new sentence (period after "said," capitalized, period after "Ashe") because it IS a new sentence.
I like swords.
I also like Ashe.
Dialogue tag links them.
3. Interrupted sentence
"I like swords," he said, "and I also like Ashe."
"I like swords and I also like Ashe" is ONE sentence. Comma goes before AND after dialogue tag ("he said") because it is interrupting a sentence.
"I like swords," he said, "and I also like Ashe."
"I like swords and I also like Ashe" is ONE sentence. Comma goes before AND after dialogue tag ("he said") because it is interrupting a sentence.
4. INCORRECT
"I like swords," He said, "I also like Ashe."
In this case, the second comma (after "said") is incorrect. "I like swords I also like Ashe" clearly isn't one sentence when you remove the dialogue tag. Should be a period after said. Should be lowercase.
"I like swords," He said, "I also like Ashe."
In this case, the second comma (after "said") is incorrect. "I like swords I also like Ashe" clearly isn't one sentence when you remove the dialogue tag. Should be a period after said. Should be lowercase.
5. Emphasis
"I like swords," he said. "And I also like Ashe."
This is stylistic. Here, the period is correct. It makes this two sentences, which adds a bit of emphasis.
WHEN IN DOUBT, USE A PERIOD AFTER "SAID." You will mostly be correct.
"I like swords," he said. "And I also like Ashe."
This is stylistic. Here, the period is correct. It makes this two sentences, which adds a bit of emphasis.
WHEN IN DOUBT, USE A PERIOD AFTER "SAID." You will mostly be correct.
6. Tag at start
He said, "I like swords."
Comma after said. "He said" is not its own sentence. Needs to get attached to the dialogue. "He" capitalized because it starts the sentence.
He said, "I like swords."
Comma after said. "He said" is not its own sentence. Needs to get attached to the dialogue. "He" capitalized because it starts the sentence.
7. Question
"Do I like swords?" he said.
Note that "he" is lowercase. That's because it is attached to the dialogue. If you replaced the question mark with a comma, "he" would need to be lowercase. This is one sentence, not two.
"Do I like swords?" he said.
Note that "he" is lowercase. That's because it is attached to the dialogue. If you replaced the question mark with a comma, "he" would need to be lowercase. This is one sentence, not two.
8. Exclamation
"I like swords!" he said.
Same as a question.
"I like swords!" he said.
Same as a question.
9. Let's get weird
OK, above are the basics. When in doubt, you can stick with that stuff and you will be fine. And by fine, I mean, you will write dialogue that is clear and easy to follow, which is a very good thing.
Below, we're gonna get into some edge cases.
OK, above are the basics. When in doubt, you can stick with that stuff and you will be fine. And by fine, I mean, you will write dialogue that is clear and easy to follow, which is a very good thing.
Below, we're gonna get into some edge cases.
"I like swords," he said. "And I also told Ashe, 'I like you.'"
Dialogue inside dialogue is treated the same. Comma to introduce it (the comma after "Ashe"). SINGLE quotes go inside double quotes. 'I like you' single quote because it's inside the double quotes.
Dialogue inside dialogue is treated the same. Comma to introduce it (the comma after "Ashe"). SINGLE quotes go inside double quotes. 'I like you' single quote because it's inside the double quotes.
"I like swords," he said, "and I also told Ashe, 'I like you.'
"He said, 'I like you too, Felix. Let's make out.' So we did."
Quotes inside quotes.
ALSO because quote continues IN A NEW PARAGRAPH there is NO ending double quote.
"He said, 'I like you too, Felix. Let's make out.' So we did."
Quotes inside quotes.
ALSO because quote continues IN A NEW PARAGRAPH there is NO ending double quote.
Let's do that one again, but simpler:
"I like swords," he said. "I also like trees.
"I once saw a tree as big as a house."
There is NO end quote after "trees" because the speaker keeps talking in a new paragraph. You close the quote only at the very end.
"I like swords," he said. "I also like trees.
"I once saw a tree as big as a house."
There is NO end quote after "trees" because the speaker keeps talking in a new paragraph. You close the quote only at the very end.
"Do you like swords?" he said. "I love swords!
"Have you ever held a sword?
"It's wonderful."
Note that even with exclamations and question marks, the rules are the same. Lowercase "he." Period after "said." No end quote until speaker has finished.
"Have you ever held a sword?
"It's wonderful."
Note that even with exclamations and question marks, the rules are the same. Lowercase "he." Period after "said." No end quote until speaker has finished.
That's about all the things I can think of for now. If you have questions ASK! No judgment here. If you're shy about asking, ask here: https://curiouscat.me/purplebookcover
Grammar shouldn't be a closely guarded secret! It makes your writing easier to understand and more enjoyable.
Grammar shouldn't be a closely guarded secret! It makes your writing easier to understand and more enjoyable.
My goal in doing this is just to demystify something that shouldn't be a mystery in the first place! It's not about being better than anyone or anything like that. There are things I suck at, but I happen to have been trained on this grammar nonsense. Have my schooling for free!
If there are other topics people are curious about, please ask! Happy to do other things. You can ask on CC if you're shy about asking publicly.
