comma/colon

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He says, "I'm fat."

He says: "I'm fat."

Is using comma the British way and tne colon, the American way?

Many thanks.

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It is a matter of style. Using a colon to introduce direct speech is definitely British newspaper style. Many books use commas though.

The mayor said: "I am suspending the meeting until members have calmed down."

Guidance for journalists from a UK college:

With this style, there are seven rules that have to be followed strictly:

1. The quote is introduced by said or added. Don't search for elegant variations such as demanded, opined, queried. You may have been encouraged to use long words as a vocabulary-widening exercise years ago, but journalists try to keep things simple.

2. The word said is followed by a colon. Again, you may have been taught to use a comma, and many books use commas, but please follow newspaper style.

3. The quote itself is opened by double quote marks in the form of a number 66.

4. The first word of the quote is in capital letters.

5. The quote (when introduced by a said or added) must be a complete sentence.

6. It is followed by a full stop, before the final quote marks.

7. The final quote marks are in the form of a 99.

American practice may differ, particularly regarding use of a comma and placement of punctuation inside or outside the quote marks.

Plenty of UK sources advise use of the comma though.

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I'm not sure what the sentence is meant to convey. If the sentence is meaning that someone thinks you're fat, you would write: He says I'm fat.

If you're repeating what someone is saying, then, personally, I would use the comma.

You may be technically correct in using a colon, but I haven't seen it. Why not google "use of colon" and find out?

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Mame wrote:

I'm not sure what the sentence is meant to convey. If the sentence is meaning that someone thinks you're fat, you would write: He says I'm fat.

Surely the quote marks give it away?

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Re: comma/colon

Yoong Liat wrote:

He says, "I'm fat."

He says: "I'm fat."

Is using comma the British way and tne colon, the American way?

Many thanks.

Sorry I'm late, googling 'use of colon' took me aback.

The sentences are unlikely quotations.

He says I'm fat.

Or if you want a quote: He said,"I'm fat."

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contrex wrote:

Mame wrote:
I'm not sure what the sentence is meant to convey. If the sentence is meaning that someone thinks you're fat, you would write: He says I'm fat.

Surely the quote marks give it away?

Obviously it was not obvious or I wouldn't have asked. Doh.

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Mame wrote:

contrex wrote:
Mame wrote:
I'm not sure what the sentence is meant to convey. If the sentence is meaning that someone thinks you're fat, you would write: He says I'm fat.

Surely the quote marks give it away?

Obviously it was not obvious or I wouldn't have asked. Doh.

Quote:

He says: "I'm fat."

This written like direct speech. Unfortunately, the choice of tense has given rise to the ambiguity which you, Mame, noticed, and which I did not.

Yoong Liat, your choice of the present tense ("says") is liable to cause ambiguity. We sometimes use "says" to mean "is of the opinion, frequently expressed".

My father says all Scotsmen are mean.

John says I'm fat. John says thinks I am fat and says so.

John said "I'm fat". John said that he is fat.

The simple present is not usually used to express the idea of simultaneity.

As I write this, John is saying a few words to the staff.

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Thanks, Contrex and Mame

Let me use another sentence and hope it doesn't cause ambiguity.

John says, "The ambulance will arrive soon."

John says: "The ambulance will arrive soon."

Is using a comma after 'says' BrE, and using a colon AmE?

I learn BrE, and was taught to use comma after 'says'. But recently I was told that in AmE, a comma is used. I'm confused and would like to know whether I was told the correct thing.

My apologies for asking the same question again. As a non-native speaker, I would like to be sure that I learn the correct thing.

Many thanks.

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I feel the meaning is clearly revealed in either exaple yoong. It matters not whether one is BrE and the other AmE the meaning is clear in both usages and thats the important thing.

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Yoong Liat wrote:

Thanks, Contrex and Mame

Let me use another sentence and hope it doesn't cause ambiguity.

John says, "The ambulance will arrive soon."

John says: "The ambulance will arrive soon."

Is using a comma after 'says' BrE, and using a colon AmE?

I learn BrE, and was taught to use comma after 'says'. But recently I was told that in AmE, a comma is used. I'm confused and would like to know whether I was told the correct thing.

My apologies for asking the same question again. As a non-native speaker, I would like to be sure that I learn the correct thing.

Many thanks.

Take a look at any novel. You most likely will NOT see a colon after every "says", "said", "states", "declared", etc. That should be your guide. A little common sense and initiative goes a long way.

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Calm down, Mame. Deep breath. In...out...in...out

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Thanks, Mame.

Sometimes I see in our local newspapers, the usage of a colon after 'says'. I thought that they were following AmE. I don't understand why they are so ill-informed.

That's why I'm confused.

Thanks again, Mame.

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comma/colon

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