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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread Do I use a question mark or not? #181748 01/15/2009 7:19 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 belMarduk Carpal Tunnel belMarduk 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. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Do I use a question mark or not? belMarduk #181757 01/15/2009 11:56 PM Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Faldage Carpal Tunnel Faldage 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. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Do I use a question mark or not? Faldage #181764 01/16/2009 5:21 AM Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,154 British Columbia, Canada Zed Pooh-Bah Zed Pooh-Bah Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,154 British Columbia, Canada I usually put in the question mark then edit it back out. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Do I use a question mark or not? Zed #181769 01/16/2009 11:29 AM Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Faldage Carpal Tunnel Faldage Carpal Tunnel Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Originally Posted By: Zed 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. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Do I use a question mark or not? Faldage #181801 01/16/2009 7:11 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 belMarduk Carpal Tunnel belMarduk Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 Originally Posted By: Faldage Originally Posted By: Zed 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. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Do I use a question mark or not? belMarduk #181824 01/17/2009 6:35 PM Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,773 Apple Valley, CA, USA dalehileman Pooh-Bah dalehileman Pooh-Bah Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,773 Apple Valley, CA, USA Originally Posted By: belMarduk 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 Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. 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