Question

which sentence is correct?
\i delivered a damaged package today.\ the mail carrier reported.
i delivered a damaged package today, the mail carrier reported.
\i delivered a damaged package today,\ the mail carrier reported.

Explanation:

To determine the correct sentence, we analyze the rules of direct speech punctuation. In direct speech, the quoted sentence should end with a comma (if the reporting clause follows) inside the quotation marks, and the reporting clause starts with a lowercase letter (unless it's a proper noun) after the closing quotation mark.

• First option: The period inside the quotes is incorrect when the reporting clause follows; it should be a comma. Also, "the mail carrier" should start with a lowercase letter after the quote.
• Second option: This is a run - on sentence as it combines a direct speech - like statement and a reporting clause without proper punctuation for direct speech.
• Third option: It follows the correct punctuation for direct speech. The quoted part ends with a comma inside the quotes, and the reporting clause starts with a lowercase "the" (correct as it's not a proper noun start here).

Answer:

"I delivered a damaged package today," the mail carrier reported.