Revised as of
24 Mar 2023
I’m always double-checking that indirect question. Is it really a question or is it a statement that expresses wonder or annoyance?
That interabang answers my own questions about the ? and ! combination. And who knew there was an actual mark for irony? It does eliminate one of the questions about the indirect question.
The Properly Punctuated explores . . .
. . . the proper use of quotation marks, commas, semicolons, colons, ellipsis, etc., including how to properly mark dialog, ahem. As Properly Punctuated is in no way complete, I would appreciate suggestions and comments from anyone on punctuation with which you struggle or on which you can contribute more understanding.
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| Question Mark, ? | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Punctuation: ? | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Definition: Ends a sentence and indicates that it is a direct question.
An indirect question should end with a period. |
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| Types of Questions | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct Question | Definition: Asks a question.
Rule: Ends with a question mark. |
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Can we go swimming now?
Are we there yet? What time is it? Can I go over to Timmy’s? |
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| Indirect Question | Definition: Indirect questions are a more polite way to ask for information or make requests. We often use them when asking something of strangers or people we do not know well, including coworkers. We also use them when asking for favors from friends or when we want to avoid sounding demanding. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Rule: Modal verbs are usually used to begin an indirect question, to make a request or ask for information. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Examples: | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Meandering | Definition: More of a wandering wonder.
Rule: Ends with a period. |
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I wonder if we’ll ever get there.
Is this class ever going to end. |
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| Interabang, ‽ | Definition: ?! and !? are used to express some question, excitement, surprise, or disbelief, depending upon the order in which the punctuation marks are used (Barnes).
Rule: The first punctuation mark is your first reaction, or what you would use if you could only use one mark:
While the ‽ is available, its use is very infrequent with preference going to the ?! or the !? A.k.a. interrobang |
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The chess notations, ?! indicates an iffy move while !? indicates a risky yet interesting move. |
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| Irony, ⸮ | Definition: Reversed question mark used at the end of a question that does not require an answer. Its use died out in the 17th century.
A.k.a. rhetorical question mark |
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| That’ll work⸮ You’re so clever⸮ No, it doesn’t make your ass look big⸮ |
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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Properly Punctuated posts on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, Word Confusions, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Question Mark
Barnes, Nancy Owens. “Exclamation Mark: Its Use and Abuse!” Writing North Idaho. Nov 2012. Web. 15 August 2015. <http://writingnorthidaho.blogspot.com/2012/11/exclamation-mark-its-use-and-abuse.html>.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Poor Antsy. He’s got so many questions.
