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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
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.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
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.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
I usually put in the question mark then edit it back out.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I 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.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
I 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.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
I'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
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