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Original poster

Help me with this grammar question please

87 replies

lorisparkle · 29/01/2017 14:58

My knowledge of grammar is pretty poor and I am a bit confused by this question........

Tick the option which is punctuated correctly.

"It's time to leave Ian." said Lesley.

"It's time, to leave Ian." said Lesley.

"It's, time to leave Ian." said Lesley.

"It's time to leave, Ian." said Lesley.

My confusion is that I think there should be a comma and not a full stop after Ian. I have had a look on the all knowing google, but can not find a definite answer.

Many thanks

OP posts:
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catkind · 29/01/2017 21:01

Or a trick question?
"I was just testing." All the best teachers' response to an error being pointed out. Grin

user789653241 · 29/01/2017 21:14

I am just relieved that my ds doesn't need my help. Being a foreigner makes me feel unsure about everything!

Fresta · 29/01/2017 22:24

mrz?

CommonFramework · 29/01/2017 22:30

They are all wrong! There MUST be a comma at the end of dialogue (speech) before 'said', because it is not a new sentence.

UK and US grammar is different but is the same for this situation.

The correct answer would be: 'It's time to leave, Ian,' said Louise.

Unless, of course, you wanted to leave Ian, in which case:

'It's time to leave Ian,' said Louise.

CommonFramework · 29/01/2017 22:31

Have just looked at other answers and am shocked by the number of people who think that a full stop is right!! It is not!

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 29/01/2017 22:31

Another teacher here horrified at the number of you declaring that the full stop is correct Shock

KatherinaMinola · 29/01/2017 22:38

What CommonFramework said (post of 22:30).

Cat0115 · 29/01/2017 22:40

English teacher here too. None are correct. Yoga has it correct.

KatherinaMinola · 29/01/2017 22:42

None is correct, surely, Cat? Wink

PremierCru · 29/01/2017 22:44

None are correct and it's really disheartening that so many people think 4 is correct. Sad

Cat0115 · 29/01/2017 22:47

'None' refers to 'not any ' so verb needs to be plural.

Toffeewhirl · 29/01/2017 22:54

All wrong. Only 1 and 4 have the potential to be right and only if you use a comma instead of a full stop after 'Ian' as in, for example: "It's time to leave, Ian," said Lesley. (Have done a lot of professional proofreading and would NEVER put a full stop instead of a comma in this instance!).

applesauce1 · 29/01/2017 23:45

I'm shocked and amused at how many posters are so confidently misinformed. The full stop is incorrect. Refer to any published novel. I am a teacher and a greedy consumer of literature.

applesauce1 · 29/01/2017 23:48

Mrz and shouldwestayorshouldwego
Your posts made me laugh. I love how the humble comma can so dramatically alter the meaning of a sentence. "Well done, comma," remarked applesauce1.

mrz · 30/01/2017 06:48

Unfortunately so worried about leaving Ian I made a stupid error Blush totally ignored the fact it was direct speech!

kesstrel · 30/01/2017 08:20

Irvine I think there is something fundamentally wrong that 11 year olds are tested on something that creates discussion among teachers/knowledgeable people.

The trouble is, the only reason it creates discussion is because grammar and punctuation have been ignored or badly/minimally taught for so many years, which has led to people not knowing what is correct. Unfortunately, the only way to improve that situation seems to be to put it on a test, because otherwise it is (as evidenced by the past) unlikely to be taught, or given enough emphasis.

Ilovewillow · 30/01/2017 08:27

Given the audience and Lesley probably isn't leaving Ian - I'd go for 4!

Ilovewillow · 30/01/2017 08:28

Oops posted too soon, it should be a comma rather than a full stop though.

PremierCru · 30/01/2017 17:36

This question shouldn't create any discussion. That's the point Hmm

spanieleyes · 30/01/2017 17:38

Correct punctuation of direct speech has always been taught, it's one of the easier elements to get right!!

ImperialBlether · 30/01/2017 17:41

It should either be:

"It's time to leave, Ian," said Lesley.
(If Lesley wants Ian to leave.)

Or:

"It's time to leave Ian," said Lesley.
(If Lesley wants Ian's wife (for example) to leave him.

Either way there will always be a comma at the end of the speech.

BitOutOfPractice · 30/01/2017 17:48

I edited a magazine for many years that often included interviews with reported speech in them. Every single time it went for checking the checker changed commas to full stops at the end of quotes. Every single bloody time. I changed them back. It got on my very last nerve.

RubyRetro · 30/01/2017 17:52

Can I ask a simple grammar question (or two).

I was taught that a comma doesn't go before and. I see some people applying this rule and others not. Also no full stop before but, so but never starts a new sentence?

mrz · 30/01/2017 18:24

An Oxford (serial) comma goes before and or or in a list.

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