Which sentence has the speech punctuated correctly?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. "Where have you been?" asked Mum.
- Step 1: A question in speech keeps its question mark inside the speech marks. Step 2. The reporting clause that follows starts with a lower-case letter because the sentence has not ended. Answer: "Where have you been?" asked Mum. Why not the others: "Where have you been," asked Mum.: This uses a comma where the question mark is needed. "Where have you been?" Asked Mum.: This puts a capital letter on 'asked', which continues the same sentence. "Where have you been"? asked Mum.: This puts the question mark outside the speech marks.
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