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A question mark indicates something asked rather than told.
It may also show surprise, dismay, or uncertainty about a piece of information received.
The question mark is the written equivalent of raising the voice at the end of asking a question.
They should not be used with a comma or a period (except after an abbreviation).
Examples after an abbreviation:
- How long did she spend trying to meet Sammy Davis, Jr.?
- Did they mean 6 A.M. or 6 P.M.?
- That bone dates back to around 7,000 B.C.? That’s really old!
Because the question mark is an ending mark, capitalize the word beginning the next sentence.
Examples:
- What will they do tomorrow? They really want to know.
- Where does he live? She said he lives nearby.
- How many cats really have nine lives? Do you have any idea?
- Can we go to the ice cream store, Mom? You promised!
Sometimes a statement is really asking to express surprise or dismay.
It should then end in a question mark.
It may or may not include a question word: who, what, when, where, why, or how.
Examples:
- He did what?
- He did that?
- He really did?
- When?
- How?
- Where?
- Excuse me?
- Well?
If the writer wishes to express uncertainty about a specific piece of information included in the work or a date that cannot be verified, a question mark may be added, either in parentheses or brackets.
Examples:
- The building was erected in 1874 (1875?) just after the railroad came through.
- According to the mayor, it cost $1500 (?) to complete.
- They hand dug its well 40 [?] feet deep.
A tag can be a single word, “Right?” or a phrase, “Will they?” in a request for confirmation of information. They can also be used to turn the statement into an invitation, or an instruction.
Examples:
- He’ll be home by midnight, won’t he?
- I’ve never seen such a magnificent elk, have I?
- Michael Jackson was a fabulous singer, wasn’t he?
- Have another cookie, won’t you?
- Take this report to your boss, will you?
Sometimes a question is followed by several choices.
Each should be capitalized and followed by a question mark.
Examples:
- What would you like for ice cream? Chocolate? Vanilla? Rocky Road? Peanut Butter? All of the above?
- Which horse would you like to ride? Silver? Trigger? Buttercup? Traveler?
- When do you want to take the test? Today? Tomorrow? Thursday? Friday? Never is not an option.
“xxx”? vs. “xxx?”
If only the quoted words are a question/exclamation, the question/exclamation mark goes inside the closing quotation marks.
If the whole sentence is a question, the closing quotation mark goes first followed by the question mark.
Colons and semicolons follow the same rule.
Examples:
- Would you believe he told me, “Whatever you want, I will do”?
- (The whole sentence is the question, so the question mark goes outside.)
- He asked her, “What would you like me to do?”
- (Only what is inside the quotation marks is a question, so the question mark goes inside the final quotation mark.)
- When do you think she will answer, “Yes”?
- (The whole sentence is a question, so the question mark goes outside.)
- She won’t answer until he asks her, “Will you marry me?”
- (Only what is inside the quotation marks is a question, so the question mark goes inside the final quotation mark.)
- Did he win $500 because he could spell “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”?
- (The entire sentence is a question, so the question mark goes outside the closing quotation mark.)
- After the dog fell into the well, its owner cried, “Help! Will someone help me rescue my dog?”
- (What the owner cried is the question, so the question mark goes inside the closing quotation mark.)
Examples:
- “What would you like me to do?” he asked her.
- (The question mark inside the closing quotation mark takes the place of the comma that would precede the dialogue tag.)
- “How big is the universe?” asked my precocious two-year-old child.
- (The question mark inside the closing quotation mark takes the place of the comma that would precede the dialogue tag.)
If the speaker quotes him/herself or another, what is quoted uses single quotation marks (which would then be inside double quotation marks.
Example:
- I looked her straight in the eye and asked, “When did I ever ask, ‘Is that what I want to do?’ “
- (Single quotation marks for the inside question.)
- (Double quotation marks for the outside question.)
- (A space between a single and a double quotation mark together (‘”) can clarify the marks.)
It is acceptable (although not yet common) to insert a space between the closing single and the closing double quotation marks for readability. This is true for statements as well as questions.
Examples:
- “Do you remember who asked, ‘What do I do now?’ ”
- (Both the sentence and the spoken words are questions. The question mark goes inside the single closing quotation mark.)
- (A space between the single and the double quotation mark aids the reader.)
- “He’s too confident. Would he ever have asked, ‘Can I do that?’ ”
- (Both the sentence and the spoken words are questions. The question mark goes inside the single closing quotation mark.)
- (A space between the single and the double quotation mark aids the reader.)
Requests sometimes appear to be questions but are actually more like gentle commands.
These should end with periods (according to the Chicago style).
Examples:
- Would you please take this book back to the library.
- Will you please read this book to little Joey.
- May I ask you to type this letter for me.
Instead, it paraphrases them, often including words such as “if” or “what.”
Because it is not the exact words from the speaker, it does not use quotation marks.
Unless it is a question in itself, it terminates with a period.
Examples:
- I know he asked, “Can I go?”
- (Direct question using his exact words)
- I know he asked if he could go.
- (Indirect question in a statement)
- (No quotation marks)
- (No question mark)
- Did he ask if he could go?
- (Indirect question inside a question)
- (The outer question needs the question mark at the end.)
- She wondered, “What will he do if he comes late?”
- (Direct question using her exact words)
- She wondered what he would do if he came late.
- (Indirect question in a statement)
- (No quotation marks)
- (No question mark)
- Why did she wonder what he would do if he came late?
- (Indirect question inside a question)
- (The outer question needs the question mark at the end.)
A one-word question in a sentence is not considered a question.
If the whole sentence is a statement, it ends in a period; if a question, a question mark.
Examples:
- I didn’t understand either who or why.
- (“who” or “why” are not treated as questions.)
- The question we all had was when.
- (“when” is not considered a question.)
- He never did explain how to me.
- (“how” is not function here as a question.)
‽
?!
!?
The interrobang (“interabang”, with only one “r”) is variously written
- as a question mark superimposed over an exclamation mark ,
- as a question mark followed by an exclamation mark (?!), or
- the other way around (!?).
It was born in the 1960’s, but because most keyboards do not allow the typeover to combine the two marks, it did not gain wide usage.
The current AP Stylebook does not mention the interrobang.
The 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style mentions the interrobang only with the information that they are making a list and considering it for the next edition. Its absence in the CMOS indicates that it is not appropriate (yet) for formal writing.
Fiction writers may or may not find the use of the interrobang acceptable, depending upon their editors or publishers.
Examples:
- “Can’t you see the fire‽ It’s coming right at us!”
- “Will we get out in time?! Can’t you get the car started?!”
- “Did you ever see a cat wearing sunglasses!?”
If typing the characters separately, which comes first, the exclamation mark or the question mark, depends upon the intent of the exclamation/question.
Most word processors do not offer the bang as an insert option. However, Wikipedia discusses the bang and options to create it.,
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