Czech: punctuating direct speech
Direct speech represents a character’s exact words inside quotation marks. If the reporting clause comes first, it takes a colon. A complete quoted statement has its full stop before the closing quotation mark.
| Example | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Eva řekla: | The narrator introduces the speaker; a colon opens the quotation. |
| „Přijdu zítra.“ | The character’s words and full stop are inside quotation marks. |
One worked example
- Eva řekla:The narrator introduces the speaker; a colon opens the quotation.
- „Přijdu zítra.“The character’s words and full stop are inside quotation marks.
Watch out: Punctuation changes when the reporting clause follows or interrupts the speech.
Goal, prerequisites and card origin
What you will learn: Punctuate direct speech after a reporting clause.
What you need first: You can read a short Czech sentence and understand the words used here.
An original PEAZIT working card. Independent expert review and effectiveness testing have not yet taken place. · v1
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Direct speech represents a character’s exact words inside quotation marks. If the reporting clause comes first, it takes a colon. A complete quoted statement has its full stop before the closing quotation mark.