Could you confirm whether all the following sentences are right? That is to say, is the inversion of each following sentence not necessary, but optional?
1. "He is a real criminal," the old woman said. 2. "He is a real criminal," said the old woman. 3. "He is a real criminal," she said. 4. "He is a real criminal," said she.
Top answer
Correct. Optional. You can also put the direct words at the end.
— Clive
Correct.
Optional.
You can also put the direct words at the end.
Much depends on the context and on the style you want.
For example, said she sounds rather pert.
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