Can action tags be punctuated like dialogue tags?
I have a habit of using action tags in the same way as dialogue tags.
Example:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
vs.
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not." He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better." The man frowned.
See how in the first block, I've punctuated dialogue & action tags the same?
I often do that because (to me) the "soft break" of a comma makes actions feel like they're happening simultaneously with the dialogue. But I'm not sure if this punctuation is grammatically correct, or more importantly, if it's readable to others.
Is this ever acceptable grammar in fiction?
grammar punctuation dialogue
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
add a comment |
I have a habit of using action tags in the same way as dialogue tags.
Example:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
vs.
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not." He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better." The man frowned.
See how in the first block, I've punctuated dialogue & action tags the same?
I often do that because (to me) the "soft break" of a comma makes actions feel like they're happening simultaneously with the dialogue. But I'm not sure if this punctuation is grammatically correct, or more importantly, if it's readable to others.
Is this ever acceptable grammar in fiction?
grammar punctuation dialogue
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
Do you read much fiction? What have you seen in there? At any rate, you can write any way you like; your editor/publisher might have the last word.
– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago
1
The second set is conventionally punctuated. It's only with verbs of saying/dialogue tags that lead into, break or follow quoted text that the comma can be used.
– Zan700
2 days ago
Thank you. Could you post that as an answer so I can mark this solved? I can answer it myself, but I'd hate to deny you the credit.
– Hyperglyph
2 days ago
Punctuation is not grammar.
– choster
2 days ago
add a comment |
I have a habit of using action tags in the same way as dialogue tags.
Example:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
vs.
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not." He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better." The man frowned.
See how in the first block, I've punctuated dialogue & action tags the same?
I often do that because (to me) the "soft break" of a comma makes actions feel like they're happening simultaneously with the dialogue. But I'm not sure if this punctuation is grammatically correct, or more importantly, if it's readable to others.
Is this ever acceptable grammar in fiction?
grammar punctuation dialogue
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
I have a habit of using action tags in the same way as dialogue tags.
Example:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
vs.
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not." He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better." The man frowned.
See how in the first block, I've punctuated dialogue & action tags the same?
I often do that because (to me) the "soft break" of a comma makes actions feel like they're happening simultaneously with the dialogue. But I'm not sure if this punctuation is grammatically correct, or more importantly, if it's readable to others.
Is this ever acceptable grammar in fiction?
grammar punctuation dialogue
grammar punctuation dialogue
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
asked 2 days ago
HyperglyphHyperglyph
1475
1475
Do you read much fiction? What have you seen in there? At any rate, you can write any way you like; your editor/publisher might have the last word.
– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago
1
The second set is conventionally punctuated. It's only with verbs of saying/dialogue tags that lead into, break or follow quoted text that the comma can be used.
– Zan700
2 days ago
Thank you. Could you post that as an answer so I can mark this solved? I can answer it myself, but I'd hate to deny you the credit.
– Hyperglyph
2 days ago
Punctuation is not grammar.
– choster
2 days ago
add a comment |
Do you read much fiction? What have you seen in there? At any rate, you can write any way you like; your editor/publisher might have the last word.
– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago
1
The second set is conventionally punctuated. It's only with verbs of saying/dialogue tags that lead into, break or follow quoted text that the comma can be used.
– Zan700
2 days ago
Thank you. Could you post that as an answer so I can mark this solved? I can answer it myself, but I'd hate to deny you the credit.
– Hyperglyph
2 days ago
Punctuation is not grammar.
– choster
2 days ago
Do you read much fiction? What have you seen in there? At any rate, you can write any way you like; your editor/publisher might have the last word.
– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago
Do you read much fiction? What have you seen in there? At any rate, you can write any way you like; your editor/publisher might have the last word.
– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago
1
1
The second set is conventionally punctuated. It's only with verbs of saying/dialogue tags that lead into, break or follow quoted text that the comma can be used.
– Zan700
2 days ago
The second set is conventionally punctuated. It's only with verbs of saying/dialogue tags that lead into, break or follow quoted text that the comma can be used.
– Zan700
2 days ago
Thank you. Could you post that as an answer so I can mark this solved? I can answer it myself, but I'd hate to deny you the credit.
– Hyperglyph
2 days ago
Thank you. Could you post that as an answer so I can mark this solved? I can answer it myself, but I'd hate to deny you the credit.
– Hyperglyph
2 days ago
Punctuation is not grammar.
– choster
2 days ago
Punctuation is not grammar.
– choster
2 days ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Your version is nonstandard—and arguably ungrammatical.
Consider this:
"I don't know," she said.
This is really the same as:
She said the words "I don't know."
I added the words and removed the stylistic comma for emphasis—and to help better make the next point.
Now look at your other sentences:
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully the words "I think not."
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
The man frowned the words "This could have gone better."
You can say words, but you can't frown or scratch your chin thoughtfully words.
Unless it's some science fiction, fantasy, or horror novel where that literally can be done and you're making an explicit point about it. In such an edge case, it might be considered acceptable. But I wouldn't base any regular writing on that premise.
It's understandable if you see separate sentences as causing a break in timing that you don't like—and if you want to preserve the use of a comma within a single sentence to prevent that.
However, you can do all of that while still following normal convention and maintaining grammar:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man said, frowning.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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active
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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Your version is nonstandard—and arguably ungrammatical.
Consider this:
"I don't know," she said.
This is really the same as:
She said the words "I don't know."
I added the words and removed the stylistic comma for emphasis—and to help better make the next point.
Now look at your other sentences:
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully the words "I think not."
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
The man frowned the words "This could have gone better."
You can say words, but you can't frown or scratch your chin thoughtfully words.
Unless it's some science fiction, fantasy, or horror novel where that literally can be done and you're making an explicit point about it. In such an edge case, it might be considered acceptable. But I wouldn't base any regular writing on that premise.
It's understandable if you see separate sentences as causing a break in timing that you don't like—and if you want to preserve the use of a comma within a single sentence to prevent that.
However, you can do all of that while still following normal convention and maintaining grammar:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man said, frowning.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
add a comment |
Your version is nonstandard—and arguably ungrammatical.
Consider this:
"I don't know," she said.
This is really the same as:
She said the words "I don't know."
I added the words and removed the stylistic comma for emphasis—and to help better make the next point.
Now look at your other sentences:
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully the words "I think not."
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
The man frowned the words "This could have gone better."
You can say words, but you can't frown or scratch your chin thoughtfully words.
Unless it's some science fiction, fantasy, or horror novel where that literally can be done and you're making an explicit point about it. In such an edge case, it might be considered acceptable. But I wouldn't base any regular writing on that premise.
It's understandable if you see separate sentences as causing a break in timing that you don't like—and if you want to preserve the use of a comma within a single sentence to prevent that.
However, you can do all of that while still following normal convention and maintaining grammar:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man said, frowning.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
add a comment |
Your version is nonstandard—and arguably ungrammatical.
Consider this:
"I don't know," she said.
This is really the same as:
She said the words "I don't know."
I added the words and removed the stylistic comma for emphasis—and to help better make the next point.
Now look at your other sentences:
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully the words "I think not."
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
The man frowned the words "This could have gone better."
You can say words, but you can't frown or scratch your chin thoughtfully words.
Unless it's some science fiction, fantasy, or horror novel where that literally can be done and you're making an explicit point about it. In such an edge case, it might be considered acceptable. But I wouldn't base any regular writing on that premise.
It's understandable if you see separate sentences as causing a break in timing that you don't like—and if you want to preserve the use of a comma within a single sentence to prevent that.
However, you can do all of that while still following normal convention and maintaining grammar:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man said, frowning.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
Your version is nonstandard—and arguably ungrammatical.
Consider this:
"I don't know," she said.
This is really the same as:
She said the words "I don't know."
I added the words and removed the stylistic comma for emphasis—and to help better make the next point.
Now look at your other sentences:
"I think not," he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully the words "I think not."
"This could have gone better," the man frowned.
The man frowned the words "This could have gone better."
You can say words, but you can't frown or scratch your chin thoughtfully words.
Unless it's some science fiction, fantasy, or horror novel where that literally can be done and you're making an explicit point about it. In such an edge case, it might be considered acceptable. But I wouldn't base any regular writing on that premise.
It's understandable if you see separate sentences as causing a break in timing that you don't like—and if you want to preserve the use of a comma within a single sentence to prevent that.
However, you can do all of that while still following normal convention and maintaining grammar:
"I don't know," she said.
"I think not," he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"This could have gone better," the man said, frowning.
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
answered 2 days ago
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
16.6k31942
16.6k31942
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Do you read much fiction? What have you seen in there? At any rate, you can write any way you like; your editor/publisher might have the last word.
– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago
1
The second set is conventionally punctuated. It's only with verbs of saying/dialogue tags that lead into, break or follow quoted text that the comma can be used.
– Zan700
2 days ago
Thank you. Could you post that as an answer so I can mark this solved? I can answer it myself, but I'd hate to deny you the credit.
– Hyperglyph
2 days ago
Punctuation is not grammar.
– choster
2 days ago