Direct speech – basic principles
How it works
Direct speech reproduces what someone says or thinks exactly. It is written in quotation marks, for example in ‹Mila sagte: „Heute regnet es.“›. If the introductory clause comes before the direct speech, it is often followed by a colon. If the introductory clause follows the direct speech, it is usually separated from it by a comma, for example in ‹„Ich komme gleich“, sagte Ben.›. Question marks and exclamation marks stand inside the quotation marks if they belong to the direct speech, for example in ‹„Wo bist du?“, fragte Amir.› or ‹„Komm her!“, rief sie.›. If direct speech begins with a new sentence, the first word is written with a capital letter.
Put quotation marks around direct speech. Introductory clauses placed before the speech often end with a colon; introductory clauses that follow or are inserted into the speech are usually separated by commas. Sentence punctuation of the spoken words stands inside the quotation marks. If direct speech begins with a new sentence, the first word is written with a capital letter.
An example
In which sentence is the direct speech written correctly: ‹Lisa ruft: „Komm schnell!“› or ‹Lisa ruft „komm schnell“!›?
Try it yourself now
50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: German. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.