Read this example:

which is why several large countries have abolished the

use of the death penalty in criminal cases, including the

united kingdom, germany, and france.

"the death penalty is a cruel and unusual form of

punishment for crime," says amanda brier, director of the

commission for just punishments. opponents of the

death penalty feel that the eye-for-an-eye mentality that

sees death as a just punishment for certain crimes is

outdated and not consistent with the humanistic policies

now employed in the united states.

what is wrong with the quotation in this example?

The problem with this quotation is the use of the verb "say" and the displacement of the subject "Amanda Brier."

Explanation:

In formal and academic writing, some verbs like "say" to report indirect speech are not considered correct since they do not fit in the context. A better option can be the use of the verb "state" or "express." Besides, it is better to follow the subject, verb, complement structure. Thus, a better option could be the following one:

Amanda Brier, director of the Commission for Just Punishments, states that "The death penalty is a cruel and unusual form of punishment for crime."

this quote could be referring to the death penalty. it's questioning the morality of sentencing murderers to death as a punishment, because it seems hypocritical. this quote seems to be arguing for non-lethal punishment for killers.