16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardComma before a quoted statement after said

Standard English Conventions practice question

The conductor ____ "We start again from the second bar."

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. said,Correct
  2. B. said
  3. C. said;
  4. D. said:

Answer: A. said,

A comma follows a speech verb before a quotation.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. said
The comma is missing.
C. said;
A semicolon does not introduce a quotation.
D. said:
A colon after "said" is not standard for a short quotation.

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