Who said that?
We have learned to include speech marks (inverted commas: “ “) around the words being spoken by someone,
for example, within a story. We also need
to be clear as to which person is speaking.
This will be our reporting clause. It usually has a reporting verb. Often, the reporting verb is said
(though we do try and use different verbs when we can, such as stammered, cried, whispered etc.). Remember a comma (,) goes with a reported clause, either before or after it.
"You have awfully hairy legs, Charlotte," said Wilbur, as the spider busily worked at her task.
(Spot the adverb included in this one:)
“I think,” he said quietly, “I think I’ll have just one
more of those chocolate bars.”
"I feel most peculiar," gasped Violet.
Remember you can put the reported clause at the beginning or the middle of the sentence, not just at the end:
Violet gasped, "I feel most peculiar."
"I feel," Violet gasped, "most peculiar."
Have a go!
1) "What does that mean?" _______ed Sam.
2) "My legs are hairy for a good reason, _________ed Charlotte.
Try using reported clauses in your own sentences, with:
3) whispered
4) stammered
5) suggested
6) cried
7) muttered
8) insisted
