full stop or question mark

[Jiayun]

Hi all,

Can I use full stop in the following sentence:-

"Could you let me have the document by next Monday."

Or I must use full stop and cannot use question mark in the above sentence?

Thank you!

JY

 

[5jj]

"Could you let me have the document by next Monday."

This request/order is worded as a question and, in my opinion, needs a question mark.

 

[Jiayun]

Thanks!

I remember once I was told that I should use full stop for a sentence beginning with the word "could". I wonder if there is any such situation or not. Could you enlighten me on this issue?

This request/order is worded as a question and, in my opinion, needs a question mark.

 

[Rover_KE]

I remember once I was told that I should use a full stop for a sentence beginning with the word "could".

It depends on the context.

Rover

 

[TheParser]

"Could you let me have the document by next Monday."

NOT A TEACHER


Hello, Jiayun:

I was taught that if is a genuine question, then use a question mark; if it is really ( = in reality) an order "hidden" in a

question, then use a period.

I did some googling, and it seems that there is no one "correct" answer.

*****

The following is only my thoughts:

1. If you are talking to a fellow employee, you would probably consider it as a question:

"Say, Mona. I was wondering: Could you let me have the document by next Monday? The boss is really pressing me

for an answer." [Did you notice that when you ask a real question, your voice keeps rising to the end?]

2. If you were the boss, you probably would not want to "beg" an employee for something. Of course, you would

not want to be rude: "I want that document by next Monday!" So you "hide" your order in a question form:

Tony, could you let me have the document by next Monday. I need it by noon. [Did you notice that when it is not a

real question, your voice does not rise. It sounds the same as if you had said: "I want that document by next Monday."]


HAVE A NICE DAY!

 

[Jiayun]

Hi Parser,

Thanks a lot for taking the trouble to provide me with your examples. Much appreciated.

Actually, I am thinking of the same context. For example, if I am the client, I think it is appropriate to write an e-mail to the service provider and ask them "Could you let me have the documents by next Monday." using a period instead of a question mark. Am I right?

NOT A TEACHER


Hello, Jiayun:

I was taught that if is a genuine question, then use a question mark; if it is really ( = in reality) an order "hidden" in a

question, then use a period.

I did some googling, and it seems that there is no one "correct" answer.

*****

The following is only my thoughts:

1. If you are talking to a fellow employee, you would probably consider it as a question:

"Say, Mona. I was wondering: Could you let me have the document by next Monday? The boss is really pressing me

for an answer." [Did you notice that when you ask a real question, your voice keeps rising to the end?]

2. If you were the boss, you probably would not want to "beg" an employee for something. Of course, you would

not want to be rude: "I want that document by next Monday!" So you "hide" your order in a question form:

Tony, could you let me have the document by next Monday. I need it by noon. [Did you notice that when it is not a

real question, your voice does not rise. It sounds the same as if you had said: "I want that document by next Monday."]


HAVE A NICE DAY!

 

[Tdol]

It's fairly common to leave the question mark off the end of requests beginning with could. Your usage is OK to many people, but some would say it requires a question mark. In your context, I would say it is OK, but some may disagree.

 

[TheParser]

Am I right?

NOT A TEACHER


Thank you for your kind note.

As the other posters have told you, what is "right" is open to discussion.

Of course, I cannot tell you what is "right."

I can, however, tell you that one reputable grammar advice website says that a period is needed in:

"Could you please send me your catalogue." That website (englishclub.com) claims that it is a polite request

in the form of a question, so it takes a period.

Of course, other experts would tell you that it should (or "can") take a question mark.

I think that a question mark could be considered more polite. So it could not hurt to use a question mark in

your example. On the other hand, some people might think that a question mark in your example might show that you

are "begging" while a period might indicate a polite but firm request.


Furthermore, consider the cultural aspects. In some cultures, people are very careful to show great respect and

deference to "superiors." A question mark or period might make a big difference to some people who read the sentence.

If you do not use a question mark, that might indicate that you are expecting the documents by next Monday. That

"order" might possibly upset the person who reads your email.

Let's put it this way: you cannot lose anything by using a question mark. But it is possible that using a period could

upset someone.

I suggest that you go with your gut feeling. In other words, do what you think is right. And, of course, accept the

consequences.


Best of luck to you!

P.S. Personally, I would use a question mark to my provider. I am a very timid soul who is very deferential to my superiors. I would not feel comfortable giving an "order" to my provider. If they did not provide the documents by next Monday, then I would be left in a very embarrassing situation. My "order" had been disobeyed.

In the case of the "catalogue" sentence, I definitely would use a period, for there is no time limit. It's really just a nice

way to say ""Please send me a catalogue." (If they do, they do; if they don't, they don't. I don't care that much.)

 

[Jiayun]

Thanks again for your lengthy response.

I have no preference in using a period or a question mark. It is just that I was once told that I could use a period and I did use a period sometimes, so I want to make sure that it is grammatically acceptable. Otherwise, I would be very embarrassed. Thank you all for your explanation. :-D

NOT A TEACHER


Thank you for your kind note.

As the other posters have told you, what is "right" is open to discussion.

Of course, I cannot tell you what is "right."

I can, however, tell you that one reputable grammar advice website says that a period is needed in:

"Could you please send me your catalogue." That website (englishclub.com) claims that it is a polite request

in the form of a question, so it takes a period.

Of course, other experts would tell you that it should (or "can") take a question mark.

I think that a question mark could be considered more polite. So it could not hurt to use a question mark in

your example. On the other hand, some people might think that a question mark in your example might show that you

are "begging" while a period might indicate a polite but firm request.


Furthermore, consider the cultural aspects. In some cultures, people are very careful to show great respect and

deference to "superiors." A question mark or period might make a big difference to some people who read the sentence.

If you do not use a question mark, that might indicate that you are expecting the documents by next Monday. That

"order" might possibly upset the person who reads your email.

Let's put it this way: you cannot lose anything by using a question mark. But it is possible that using a period could

upset someone.

I suggest that you go with your gut feeling. In other words, do what you think is right. And, of course, accept the

consequences.


Best of luck to you!

P.S. Personally, I would use a question mark to my provider. I am a very timid soul who is very deferential to my superiors. I would not feel comfortable giving an "order" to my provider. If they did not provide the documents by next Monday, then I would be left in a very embarrassing situation. My "order" had been disobeyed.

In the case of the "catalogue" sentence, I definitely would use a period, for there is no time limit. It's really just a nice

way to say ""Please send me a catalogue." (If they do, they do; if they don't, they don't. I don't care that much.)