How do you punctuate a split quotation?

Put a comma inside the first closing mark and another after the speaker tag, then start the second part with a lowercase letter if it finishes the same sentence: "If it rains," said Kim, "we will stay in." If the second part is a new sentence, put a period after the tag and start with a capital: "It's raining," said Kim. "We will stay in."

Does a question mark go inside or outside the quotation marks?

Inside, when the spoken words are the question: "Is the library open?" asked Jo. No comma follows it, and the tag stays lowercase. The mark goes outside only when the whole sentence asks something and the quoted words don't. The 5th grade sheets leave that case out.

How do you punctuate a name in dialogue, like "Ms. Hall, may I go next?"

The name of the person being spoken to gets a comma, and that comma stays inside the quotation marks with the rest of the words: "Ms. Hall, may I go next?" asked Ben. If the name comes at the end, the comma goes before it: "May I go next, Ms. Hall?" asked Ben.

5th grade quotation marks in dialogue

5th grade quotation marks in dialogue worksheets

In 5th grade, punctuating dialogue includes split quotations, where the speaker tag lands in the middle of what someone says. Students decide whether the quote is one sentence or two. Then they use a comma and a lowercase letter, or a period and a capital. A question mark or exclamation point that belongs to the spoken words stays inside the quotation marks.

Free printable PDF worksheet.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll fix

Add the missing quotation marks and commas to each sentence.

If the storm gets closer warned Mr. Sato we will go to the basement.
Fixed: “If the storm gets closer,” warned Mr. Sato, “we will go to the basement.”
Dad, is the pizza ready yet? called Wren.
Where is my recorder? asked Lila. Have you seen it?

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 5th grade sheet

5th grade sheets draw from 60 sentences, 8 to a page. None of these sentences are on 4th grade sheets.

A few of the sentences, as the answer key corrects them:

“Is the gym open today?” asked Sven. “Can you check for my sneakers?”
Jamal asked, “Has anyone seen my library card?”
My sister exclaimed, “There is a deer in the backyard!”

Fix it. Add the missing quotation marks and commas to each sentence. 8 sentences to fix per page.
Choose the sentence. Circle the letter of the sentence with the dialogue punctuated correctly. 8 questions per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Have your child read the spoken words aloud without the tag. If they make one sentence, the tag gets a comma on each side and the second part starts with a lowercase letter: "If it rains," said Kim, "we will stay in." If they make two sentences, a period follows the tag and the second part starts with a capital. For questions and exclamations, the question mark or exclamation point goes inside the marks and takes the place of the comma. Watch for the extra comma kids like to add after it, as in "Ready?," asked Jo.

Watch for: The comma or period lands inside the closing quotation mark, not after it. Only the spoken words go inside the marks; said Maya stays outside.

Common questions about 5th grade quotation marks in dialogue

How do you punctuate a split quotation?: Put a comma inside the first closing mark and another after the speaker tag, then start the second part with a lowercase letter if it finishes the same sentence: "If it rains," said Kim, "we will stay in." If the second part is a new sentence, put a period after the tag and start with a capital: "It's raining," said Kim. "We will stay in."
Does a question mark go inside or outside the quotation marks?: Inside, when the spoken words are the question: "Is the library open?" asked Jo. No comma follows it, and the tag stays lowercase. The mark goes outside only when the whole sentence asks something and the quoted words don't. The 5th grade sheets leave that case out.
How do you punctuate a name in dialogue, like "Ms. Hall, may I go next?": The name of the person being spoken to gets a comma, and that comma stays inside the quotation marks with the rest of the words: "Ms. Hall, may I go next?" asked Ben. If the name comes at the end, the comma goes before it: "May I go next, Ms. Hall?" asked Ben.

5th grade quotation marks in dialogue worksheets

The kind of sentences you'll fix

What's on a 5th grade sheet

How to teach this

Common questions about 5th grade quotation marks in dialogue

Related worksheets

Ready to print one?