---
title: "Punctuating Direct Speech"
description: "Punctuate direct speech using inverted commas (speech marks), understanding that direct speech records the exact words spoken and must be enclosed in punctuation marks"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/punctuating-direct-speech-mt_-mw3JeIjhU
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/punctuating-direct-speech-mt_-mw3JeIjhU.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Punctuating Direct Speech

Punctuate direct speech using inverted commas (speech marks), understanding that direct speech records the exact words spoken and must be enclosed in punctuation marks

Subject: English · Area: Grammar & Punctuation · Ages 7 to 10
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/punctuating-direct-speech-mt_-mw3JeIjhU

## Ready when they can

- Place inverted commas around the spoken words in a sentence (e.g., "Let's go!" shouted Tom.)
- Write a sentence containing direct speech with correct punctuation including a reporting clause (e.g., Mum said, "Time for bed.")
- Identify direct speech in a text and explain what the inverted commas show

## Lesson: Speech Marks Show Exact Words

When a character speaks in a story, you can write down their exact words. This is called direct speech, and it always sits inside inverted commas, also known as speech marks: " ". The marks show a reader exactly where the spoken words begin and end.

**Example.** "Let's go!" shouted Tom. The speech marks wrap only the words Tom actually said. Notice the exclamation mark sits inside the closing mark, because it belongs to what Tom shouted.

*(drawing: The speech marks hug only the exact words Tom said. Who said them stays outside.)*

Sometimes the reporting clause, the part that tells us who spoke, comes first. Put a comma after it, then open the speech marks with a capital letter, because the spoken words start like a new sentence.

**Example.** Mum said, "Time for bed." The comma comes after said. The word Time starts with a capital letter, and the full stop for the whole sentence sits inside the closing speech mark.

When a different person starts speaking, give them a new line. Each new speaker gets a fresh line, so the reader can follow the conversation turn by turn.

**Tip.** Any punctuation that belongs to the spoken words, like a full stop, comma, or question mark, goes inside the speech marks, right before they close.

**Recap.** Wrap the exact spoken words in speech marks, and keep their own punctuation tucked inside those marks.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Rehearsing and Varying Sentences](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/rehearsing-and-varying-sentences-mt_FGCFUCqJBB)
- [Starting and ending sentences](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/starting-and-ending-sentences-mt_QEr24lqzvH)
- [Four Types of Sentences](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/four-types-of-sentences-mt_u1-UfD0rTH)

## Opens up

- [Commas with yes, no, and names](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/commas-with-yes-no-and-names-mt_AfIzLRvMgW)
- [Brackets and dashes for parenthesis](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/brackets-and-dashes-for-parenthesis-mt_m3-eXac3aP)
- [Punctuating Titles of Works](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/punctuating-titles-of-works-mt_Q2Eud_PPz6)