I'm still really confused. Yoong Liat, Barbara, anyone, would you please help me work through a few examples? In all cases, I've written the example so that it "looks right" to me, but it's totally possible I could be wrong.
Example 1: With respect to tax deductions, the question boils down to “How much of your income can you keep?”
Should there be a comma after "boils down to"? Should the "How" be capitalized? Why or why not?
Example 2: If she says "I do," I'll be very surprised.
Should there be a comma after "says"? Why or why not?
Example 3: Dump your consultant if he says “synergize” more than once.
Does this sentence need a comma after “says”? Why or why not?
Example 4: Dump your consultant if he says “We need to debrief this puppy” more than once.
Does this sentence need a comma after “says”? Why or why not? Should “we” be capitalized? Why or why not?
(Examples 3 and 4 adapted from an entertaining post at
http://www.knowhr.com/blog/2007/10/04/10-ways-to-know-its-time-to-dump-your-consultant/
)
Example 5: He hesitated before saying “the decision stands.”
Does it need a comma after "saying"? Should "The" be capitalized? Why or why not?
Thank you.