Using 'doesn't'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kiwi watcher

The reason it sounds wrong is because it is wrong

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It is not wrong. It is, a Raymott said, a rhetorical question.

My point is that it is a question whether intended or not. Using negatives can sometimes result in saying something unintended.
"Don't we all ?" is also a question. Although some use it as a sarcatic comment.
If this forum is about correct usage then this issue should be sorted.

My point, and my last word, is that questions need question marks when in text form.

For the second time, Kiwi watcher, please read this extract from the forum Posting Guidelines:

If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post.

Also, for at least the third time, do not leave a space before a question mark.

Rover

NOT A TEACHER

If folk on here are learning to speak English then it should be done correctly from the start.
Often people use rhoterical questions because they are not bold enough to say what they really mean, and make what they mean to be a comment, by leaving it open ended . This leads to the listener/ reader not knowing what was intended. English should be clear, and if a statement is what is intended then a question should not be asked. Doesn't it, is question whether or not an answer is expected or not .

Kiwi watcher, if your next post does not state that you are not a teacher, you will be placed in moderation.

Rover

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kiwi watcher

NOT A TEACHER

If folk on here are learning to speak English then it should be done correctly from the start.
Often people use rhoterical (spelling error) questions because they are not bold enough to say what they really mean, and make what they mean to be a comment, by leaving it open ended . (error with punctuation spacing) This leads to the listener/ reader (error with punctuation spacing) not knowing what was intended. English should be clear, and if a statement is what is intended then a question should not be asked. (missing quotation marks)Doesn't it (missing quotation marks), is (missing word) question whether or not an answer is expected or not . (incorrect repetition of "or not" and incorrect punctuation spacing)

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I entirely agree that things should be done correctly from the start. On that basis, it is unclear why, after many requests, you still fail to use correct spacing with your punctuation. I have marked above in bold and red every error in your post.
You have repeatedly failed to take note of the requests made under the forum guidelines.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by probus

Yes I meant exactly like "Don't we all". And I would remind everyone that in the original post of this thread the questioner explicitly stated that what he heard was a statement, not a question.

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In speech, the speaker has the option of intonation to say it as a statement or a question, but when writing, shouldn't the rules of writing apply? I don't see that omitting the question mark makes the intonation crystal clear and it may confuse some.

Thanks for the replies.

I wasn't at all clear in my original posting and this led to the impression that I'd heard the statement spoken, it was in fact written. Ultimately, if I hadn't been rushed, I could have made the question much simpler by asking whether a question mark would always be required when writing the phrase "Doesn't everybody".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iannou

So, I contend that this is a question whether or not you perceived a rise in tone. It's an assertion phrased as a question and requires a question mark to be grammatical in text form.

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iannou has probably best expanded on what I was ultimately hoping to elucidate. Is this line of thinking generally agreed with?