I find myself using the dual punctuation marks “?:” when I want to say “I have a question about the thing that follows”. For example: Is it possible for the following sentence to be translated into French?: “Hello, nice to see you.” Is using “?:” incorrect? If so, what would be the correct way to … Read more
Possible Duplicate: How should I punctuate around quotes? When should end punctuation go inside quotes? Here is what I have written: Is it too late to say, “Don’t go. I’m sorry”? Here is my question: If I add a period after sorry, within the quotes, is it absolutely incorrect. I don’t know why, but the … Read more
Is there any difference between “?!” and “!?”? The Wikipedia page on Interrobang describes: In informal English, the same inflection is usually notated by ending a sentence with first a question mark and then an exclamation mark, or vice versa. Many people are unfamiliar with the interrobang, and would be puzzled when first seeing it, … Read more
For example: What are you going to do, sue me? Is that correct? Or is there supposed to be a question mark after the first question: What are you going to do? Sue me? It seems like “Sue me?” is not a complete sentence. Did I have it right the first time? “What are you … Read more
I know that when brackets enclose part of a sentence, the full stop goes outside. I tripped over this morning. I was distracted by a plane (which turned out to be Superman). If it’s a full sentence, the full stop goes inside. I tripped over. (I was distracted by a plane that turned out to … Read more
If a question is asked in surprise, informally many people use “?!” as their ending punctuation, as in the following: What did you do to my sausages?! According to the accepted answer in this question, this is considered incorrect by experts. In that case, which punctuation ought to be omitted and which used? What did … Read more
What is the proper way of writing an exclamative question: What are you doing!? What are you doing?! or is it better to just leave it as a simple question? Answer According to the Interrobang wikipedia page, this symbol [‽] has been created to convey the meaning of your question. Using it you ask “a … Read more
Is it appropriate to use a question mark at the end of a compound sentence where the first independent clause is a question but the second is a statement? For example: Do you want attribution for that quotation, because I’m definitely sharing it and want to know if I should give you credit? or Do … Read more
Possible Duplicate: Quoting a question at the end of a sentence which is itself a question Although some might say you can’t say a question, only ask it, I assume I can say (write)… He said “What’s happening, man?”. so if I want to check if that statement is true, logically, shouldn’t I write… Did … Read more
May I use a question mark in the middle of a sentence? Examples: Would you like the drapes to be white? or perhaps something off-white? Would you like the logo to be centered? at the bottom? left off entirely? Answer I’ve mainly seen these in older literature, usually used in dialogue, but sometimes in rhetorical … Read more
