Quotation Marks and Reported Speech: English Grammar Guide

Quotation marks and reported speech are essential elements of English grammar, especially when you want to share what someone said or wrote. Understanding how to use quotation marks correctly and how to convert direct speech into reported speech will help you communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and in conversation. This guide explains how quotation marks work, how reported speech differs from direct speech, and provides plenty of examples to help you master both.

What Are Quotation Marks?

Quotation marks (“ ”) are punctuation marks used to show the exact words someone has spoken or written. In American English, double quotation marks (“ ”) are the standard, while British English often prefers single quotation marks (‘ ’).

For example:

• American English: She said, “I love studying English grammar.”

• British English: She said, ‘I love studying English grammar.’

Quotation marks signal to the reader that the words inside them are not yours but belong to another person. They are used in dialogue, essays, articles, and academic writing whenever you quote someone directly.

Direct Speech vs. Reported Speech

Direct speech repeats the exact words spoken by someone and always uses quotation marks.

Example:

• John said, “I’m going to the gym.”

Reported speech (also known as indirect speech) tells what someone said without quoting them exactly, so quotation marks are not used.

Example:

• John said that he was going to the gym.

The difference between the two lies in how the original words are presented. Direct speech keeps the speaker’s exact words; reported speech summarizes or paraphrases the idea.

Punctuation Rules for Quotation Marks

1. Commas and periods go inside the quotation marks in American English.

   • “I’m tired,” she said.

   • He replied, “Let’s go home.”

   In British English, punctuation can go outside if it’s not part of the quote:

   • She said, ‘I’m tired’.

   • He replied, ‘Let’s go home’.

2. Question marks and exclamation points go inside the quotation marks if they belong to the quoted material.

   • “Are you coming to class?” the teacher asked.

   • She yelled, “Watch out!”

   If the question mark or exclamation point belongs to the main sentence, it goes outside.

   • Did he really say, “I hate grammar”?

3. Capitalize the first letter of a full quote.

   • She said, “You did a great job.”

   But if the quote is part of a sentence, you can keep it lowercase.

   • She described the movie as “exciting and emotional.”

4. Use single quotation marks inside double ones.

   • “Did you just say ‘no way’ to your boss?” asked Sarah.

   This nesting helps show that there is a quote within a quote.

Reporting Verbs and Their Importance

When using reported speech, reporting verbs such as say, tell, ask, explain, mention, or advise play a key role.
Examples:

• She said that she was tired.

• He told me he would call later.

• They asked if we could help them.

Some verbs require a direct object (someone being spoken to), while others don’t:

• Correct: She told me to wait.

• Incorrect: She told to wait.

• Correct: She said she would be late.

Changes in Tense: The Backshift Rule

When reporting what someone said, we often move the verb in the original sentence one tense back. This is known as backshifting.

This rule applies when the reporting verb is in the past (e.g., said, told). If the reporting verb is in the present, the tense does not change.

• She says, “I like coffee.” → She says she likes coffee.

However, in informal or real-time communication, English speakers sometimes don’t backshift if the information is still true.

• “I live in Cebu.” → He said he lives in Cebu. (still true)

Pronoun and Time Expression Changes

When converting from direct to reported speech, pronouns and time expressions often change to match the perspective of the speaker.

Pronouns

Time and Place Words

Example:

• “I’ll see you tomorrow.” → He said he would see me the next day.

• “We met here.” → They said they had met there.

Reporting Questions

When reporting questions, the structure changes. There are two types: yes/no questions and wh- questions.

Yes/No Questions

Use if or whether.

• Direct: “Do you like coffee?”

• Reported: She asked if I liked coffee.

Wh- Questions

Keep the question word (what, where, when, why, how) and use statement order.

• Direct: “Where are you going?”

• Reported: She asked where I was going.

Remember: in reported questions, don’t use a question mark and don’t invert the subject and verb.
Incorrect: She asked where was I going.
Correct: She asked where I was going.

Reporting Commands and Requests

Commands and requests use to + verb or not to + verb in reported speech.

Examples:

• Direct: “Please sit down.” → Reported: She asked me to sit down.

• Direct: “Don’t be late.” → Reported: He told me not to be late.

Common reporting verbs for commands include tell, ask, order, advise, remind, and warn.

• The teacher told us to open our books.

• She reminded me to bring my passport.

Quotation Marks in Writing and Literature

Beyond grammar, quotation marks are also used in storytelling, essays, and journalism. They can indicate:

• Dialogue in fiction:
  “It’s raining again,” said Emma. “Let’s stay inside.”

• Titles of short works**: articles, songs, or poems.
  Example: I love reading “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe.

• Irony or unusual use of a word:
  The “expert” gave completely wrong advice.

Be careful not to overuse quotation marks for emphasis—they can make writing look sarcastic or unprofessional.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Missing commas before quotations
   Wrong: He said “I am ready.”
   Correct: He said, “I am ready.”

2. Using quotation marks with reported speech
   Wrong: She said, “she was tired.”
   Correct: She said she was tired.

3. Forgetting to change tense or pronouns
   Wrong: He said he will come.
   Correct: He said he would come.

4. Mixing punctuation styles (American vs. British)
   Choose one convention and stick to it consistently.

Practice Exercises

Try converting these examples to reported speech:

1. “I’m studying for my exams,” said Mark.

2. “We went to Cebu last year,” she said.

3. “Will you join us?” he asked.

4. “Don’t forget your ticket,” my mom told me.

5. “I can’t find my phone,” he said.

Answers:

1. Mark said that he was studying for his exams.

2. She said they had gone to Cebu the previous year.

3. He asked if I would join them.

4. My mom told me not to forget my ticket.

5. He said he couldn’t find his phone.

Summary

Quotation marks show the exact words spoken or written by someone. Reported speech, on the other hand, communicates the same idea without quoting directly. When using reported speech, remember to:

• Adjust verb tense (backshift when needed)

• Change pronouns and time expressions appropriately

• Avoid quotation marks

• Use correct punctuation and reporting verbs

Mastering quotation marks and reported speech will make your English more natural and versatile—whether you’re quoting an author, reporting what a friend said, or writing dialogue for a story.

What is the difference between direct speech and reported speech?

Direct speech repeats the speaker’s exact words and uses quotation marks, e.g., Maria said, “I’m studying.” Reported speech (indirect speech) conveys the meaning of what was said without quoting word for word and does not use quotation marks, e.g., Maria said (that) she was studying. In reported speech, tense, pronouns, and time/place expressions often shift to match the new context.

When should I use quotation marks in English?

Use quotation marks to show exact words spoken or written, to mark dialogue in narrative, to quote sources in essays or articles, to indicate titles of short works (articles, poems, songs), or to signal ironic or unusual usage of a word or phrase. Do not use quotation marks for emphasis; rely on phrasing, italics, or formatting instead.

Do Americans and Brits use quotation marks differently?

Yes. American English usually prefers double quotation marks for primary quotations and single for quotes within quotes. British English often flips this preference. Punctuation placement also differs: in American style, commas and periods typically go inside the closing quote; in British style, they may go outside if they are not part of the quoted material.

How do I punctuate with commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points?

• American style: commas and periods go inside the closing quotation mark: “I’m ready,” she said. He replied, “Great.”
• Question marks/exclamation points: place them inside if they belong to the quoted words (“Where are you going?”), but outside if they belong to the whole sentence (Did he really say, “I’m leaving”?).
• British style: punctuation may go outside if it isn’t part of the original quote.

What is backshifting in reported speech, and when is it required?

Backshifting is moving a verb one step back in time when reporting past speech. If the reporting verb is in the past (said, told), shift tenses accordingly: present → past, present perfect → past perfect, will → would, can → could. Example: “I am tired.” → She said she was tired. If the reporting verb is present (she says), you usually keep the original tense. In live or still-true situations, many speakers skip backshifting: “I live in Cebu.” → He said he lives in Cebu.

How do pronouns, time words, and place words change in reported speech?

Adjust them to reflect the reporter’s perspective and the new time frame:

• Pronouns: “I will help you.” → She said she would help me.
• Time: today → that day; yesterday → the day before; tomorrow → the next/following day; now → then; ago → before.
• Place: here → there; this/these → that/those.

Which reporting verbs should I use, and do they change the structure?

Common reporting verbs include say, tell, ask, explain, mention, admit, claim, promise, advise, warn, remind. Some require an object (person): tell, remind, warn (someone). Others don’t: say, admit, explain.

• Statement: She said (that) she was tired.
• Inform + person: She told me that she was tired.
• Command/request: He told me to wait. / She asked me to sit.
• Warning/advice: They warned us not to be late. / She advised me to apply early.

How do I report yes/no questions and wh- questions?

For yes/no questions, use if or whether and statement word order (no auxiliary inversion): “Do you like coffee?” → She asked if I liked coffee. For wh- questions, keep the question word and use statement order: “Where are you going?” → She asked where I was going. Do not use a question mark at the end of reported questions.

How do I report commands, requests, and prohibitions?

Use to + base verb for commands/requests and not to + base verb for prohibitions:

• “Please sit down.” → She asked me to sit down.
• “Don’t be late.” → He told me not to be late.
• Common verbs: tell, ask, order, advise, encourage, remind, warn, invite.

Should I include the word “that” in reported speech?

“That” is optional after reporting verbs in most cases: She said (that) she was ready. Use it when it improves clarity, especially in complex sentences or formal writing. Avoid it if it creates clunky, repetitive phrasing.

How do I handle quotes within quotes?

Nest quotation marks: primary quotes use double marks (AmE) and internal quotes use single marks. Example: “Did you just say ‘no way’?” she asked. Reverse the nesting order if you’re writing in a style that uses single marks as primary (often BrE). Make sure each opening mark has a matching closing mark.

What are common mistakes with quotation marks and reported speech?

• Missing a comma before a quote tag (AmE): Wrong: He said “I agree.” Right: He said, “I agree.”
• Using quotation marks with reported speech: Wrong: She said, “she was tired.” Right: She said she was tired.
• Forgetting tense/pronoun/time shifts: Wrong: He said he will come. Right: He said he would come.
• Random quotation marks for emphasis: Avoid scare quotes unless you intend irony or distance.

How do I integrate quotations smoothly into my sentences?

Introduce quotations with a reporting clause, a colon, or a signal phrase, and keep punctuation consistent with your style guide. Example: As the coach said, “Discipline beats motivation.” For partial quotes, lowercase the fragment if it fits grammatically: He called the policy “a temporary fix.” Keep your own sentence structure intact and avoid splicing full-sentence quotes without proper punctuation.

Can I change the tense or wording inside a direct quotation?

Do not alter the quoted words in direct speech; they must remain exact. If you need to adjust for clarity, use brackets to show insertions or changes (“He [the manager] approved the plan.”) and ellipses to indicate omissions (“We … proceeded cautiously.”). In everyday writing (not academic/legal), minor capitalization adjustments at the start of a fragment are usually acceptable when grammatically required.

How do I cite titles with quotation marks?

Use quotation marks for titles of short works (articles, essays, poems, songs, short stories, episodes). Use italics (not quotes) for long works (books, newspapers, films, journals, albums). Example: I loved “The Tell-Tale Heart,” but I haven’t finished Great Expectations. (If italics aren’t available, some style guides allow underlining.)

What are style tips for professional and academic writing?

• Choose a style and stay consistent: American or British punctuation conventions, not both.
• Prefer reported speech for summaries: It keeps your voice central and prevents over-quoting.
• Quote sparingly but precisely: Use exact words when they are authoritative, vivid, or controversial.
• Attribute clearly: Make the speaker/source obvious to avoid ambiguity or misrepresentation.

Can you show quick conversions from direct to reported speech?

• “I am learning English.” → She said (that) she was learning English.
• “We have finished.” → They said (that) they had finished.
• “I will call you tomorrow.” → He said (that) he would call me the next day.
• “Do you need help?” → She asked if I needed help.
• “Why are you late?” → He asked why I was late.
• “Don’t forget your ID.” → She reminded me not to forget my ID.

How can I practice and self-check my usage?

When converting, ask yourself:

1. Is this direct or reported speech? If reported, remove quotation marks.
2. Is my reporting verb appropriate (say, tell, ask, advise)? Do I need an object?
3. Do I need to backshift the tense? Is the information still true now?
4. Have I adjusted pronouns, time, and place words correctly?
5. Is the punctuation consistent with my style (AmE/BrE)?

Write short dialogues and convert them to reported speech, then compare with model answers in trustworthy grammar resources. Over time, your ear for tense and pronoun shifts will become automatic.

Summary: what are the essentials to remember?

• Use quotation marks only for exact words; omit them in reported speech.
• Backshift after past reporting verbs unless the fact is still true or context suggests present relevance.
• Adjust pronouns, time, and place expressions to the reporter’s viewpoint.
• Report questions with if/whether or wh- words and statement order—no question mark.
• For commands/requests, use to/not to with suitable reporting verbs.
• Be consistent with American or British punctuation conventions.