Commas with Direct Speech - Writing English
Use a comma after the introductory clause.
Example: She said, “I was in London last year.”
If the direct speech is at the beginning of the sentence, put the comma before the final quotation mark. (Don’t use a full stop here.)
Example: “I was in London last year,” she said.
Don’t use a comma after direct speech if the direct speech ends with a question mark or exclamation mark.
Example:
“Were you in London last year?” he asked. (but: He asked, “Were you in London last year?”)
“Great!” she replied. (but: She replied, “Great!”)