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[pui-yui]

In the novel, when someone say something, the content will be "what a adorable pig",said John.
Why "name" is after "said"?
Thank you:)

[IanT]

It varies! Both ways round are possible.

Have a look at the long discussion here:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96915

Best wishes,
Ian
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[CP]

If you read a lot of novels, you'll probably notice that John said usually comes before the quotation, and said John usually comes after the quotation.

John said, "I like toast."

"I like toast," said John.

Although you wouldn't often say said John when speaking with someone, in writing it sounds just fine. It's just a writing convention, nothing you can explain logically.

Of course the same rules holds true for other verbs:

John thought, / , thought John
John exclaimed, / , exclaimed John
John wondered, / , wondered John
John asked, / , asked John
John laughed, / , laughed John

etc.

Hope this helps.
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