Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
Register Log In Wordsmith.org Forums General Topics Q&A about words Do I use a question mark or not?
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
OP I'm unsure about something.
If I write a statement like, "Most dogs in Québec are named KING." then add, "I wonder why that is", should I put a question mark at the end of the second sentence.
It's a questioning comment, but not an outright question like if I had written, "Why is that?".
I usually wind up rephrasing the sentence. I'd really like to know the rule on this.
I've seen it both ways. I wouldn't but I don't feel like someone is scraping nails on a chalkboard if they do.
I usually put in the question mark then edit it back out.
Originally Posted By: ZedI usually put in the question mark then edit it back out.
That's probably a good idea. It satisfies your need to put it in there but that triggers an instinct that feels it shouldn't be there in the first place. It's a win-win situation.
OP Originally Posted By: FaldageOriginally Posted By: ZedI usually put in the question mark then edit it back out.
That's probably a good idea. It satisfies your need to put it in there but that triggers an instinct that feels it shouldn't be there in the first place. It's a win-win situation.
HA! Me too. I always do the in-out thing.
I guess that there isn't a set rule then.
Originally Posted By: belMardukI'm unsure about something.
*********Bel you're not alone
If I write a statement like, "Most dogs in Québec are named KING." then add, "I wonder why that is", should I put a question mark at the end of the second sentence.
*******I wouldn't
It's a questioning comment, but not an outright question like if I had written, "Why is that?".
***You're correct
I usually wind up rephrasing the sentence. I'd really like to know the rule on this.
******I don't think there's a rule though my prescriptivist buddies may disagree. If it were at the of a paragraph I would even have omitted the period. I do this regularly, much to the consternation of compulsive Admin types [present company excepted] although in other cases it makes a statement, suggesting the topic under discussion is still open to comment
*****I often omit the "?" even when it's obviously a question. Part of the reason is that it upsets the zealous prescriptivist and partly becuse it's a subtle insult: If you can't tell it's a question you're illiterate. It drives officious Admin types [present company excepted] up the wall
*******Also it saves keystrokes and especially inadvertent mistakes from hitting the wrong key. The typical screen sucker (like me), especially if he uses Mac rather than Windows, in his lifetime makes a conservatively-estimated 1.1 millon otherwise unnecessary keystrokes
But be forewarned: I have been banned for less
See post #5:
http://www.freeratio.org/showthread.php?t=260466
dalehileman
Moderated by Jackie
Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics Forums16Topics13,913Posts229,316Members9,182 Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now 0 members (), 342 guests, and 3 robots. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days) A C Bowden 13ddrinnan 1
Top Posters wwh 13,858Faldage 13,803Jackie 11,613tsuwm 10,542wofahulicodoc 10,533LukeJavan8 9,916Buffalo Shrdlu 7,210AnnaStrophic 6,511Wordwind 6,296of troy 5,400
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith.org