Ask Jerry
How to use tags.
Asked by Dennis Fluckinger on May 9, 2023
Doc looked thoughtful. "I'm not sure what is wrong with her, but I can only guess." Is Doc looked thoughtful a tag, and is it okay to use it if it's not a tag?
I'm unsure, but I thought tags always end with a comma. I know what you're supposed to say. Doc said, and not say Doc said with a smile or with a smile Doc said. Thank you, Dennis
Jerry's Answer
No, Dennis, that's not a tag. But it is telling rather than showing. The dialogue shows that he's being thoughtful, so we need not be told he looks thoughtful.
And there's absolutely nothing at all wrong with saying someone said something with a smile. I wouldn't say, "With a smile, he said..." but, as I say, quoting a person and adding, "...he said with a smile" is fine. Why not? Sometimes you can mix it up and say, "He smiled." And then quote him.