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Academy11+

11+ English · Topic explained

Inverted commas (speech marks)

How do you show exactly what someone said in a story?

The big idea

Inverted commas go around the exact words someone says, with their punctuation inside.

Picture it

Inverted commas are a speech bubble, wrapped around the words someone says.

Key words

inverted commas
Speech marks: “ ” around the words actually spoken.
direct speech
The exact words someone said, inside inverted commas.
reporting clause
The part that tells you who spoke: said Tom, Mum asked.
reported speech
Retelling what someone said, with no inverted commas: Tom said that he was cold.

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    “Look out!” shouted Tom.

    • The inverted commas go around Look out!
    • The exclamation mark stays inside them.
  2. 211+ standard

    Mum said, “It's time for bed.”

    • A comma after said.
    • The speech starts with a capital letter.
    • The full stop goes inside the closing inverted commas.
  3. 311+ standard

    “I think,” said Ali, “that we're lost.”

    • The speech is split by said Ali.
    • The second part carries on the same sentence, so "that" has no capital.
  4. 411+ standard

    Ali said that they were lost.

    • Reported speech: not Ali's exact words.
    • No inverted commas.

The common mistake

The mistake

“Hello”, said Mia.

Instead

“Hello,” said Mia.

Why: The punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the closing inverted commas.

Where it comes up in the 11+

Proofreading questions check speech punctuation, and creative writing rewards dialogue set out correctly.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains inverted commas (speech marks) step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

Inverted commas (speech marks) worksheet

Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.

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Quick quiz

Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.

  1. 1. Which is punctuated correctly?

    • “Come here,” said Dad.
    • “Come here”, said Dad.
    • “Come here” said Dad.
    Show the answer

    “Come here,” said Dad.

    The comma belongs to the speech, so it goes inside the inverted commas.

  2. 2. Which sentence needs NO inverted commas?

    • Zoe said that she was hungry.
    • Zoe said, I'm hungry.
    Show the answer

    Zoe said that she was hungry.

    It's reported speech, not Zoe's exact words.

  3. 3. Which is correct?

    • “Where are you going?” asked Gran.
    • “Where are you going”? asked Gran.
    • “Where are you going?” Asked Gran.
    Show the answer

    “Where are you going?” asked Gran.

    The question mark goes inside, and asked carries on the sentence, so no capital.