[Grammar] RE: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

[monsterjazzlicks]

RE: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Hi folks,

I would like to check, please, if I am using a question mark correctly - or incorrectly as the case may be. The scenario relates to when one is, you might say, thinking aloud.

For example:

"I am assuming that I was not invited to the party because of the rude remark I had made towards David. In all honesty, I am not even sure why the hell I made that obscene comment in the first place?"​

I am specifically referring to the question mark at the very end of the second sentence.

I tend to write this form very often. To my mind it is not a rhetorical question, nor am I requesting the audience to respond. As mentioned above, I feel, rather, that it is an expression of the writer (inwardly) asking her/himself a question.

Many thanks in advance for any kind assistance offered here.

Best,

Paul David Seaman (UK)

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Phrases like I'm not sure why I did that are declarative statements, not questions. As such, a question mark is the wrong final punctuation.

The order of the second part's subject and verb tells you it can't be a question. Standard order is subject-verb: I did that.

Questions use inverted order: Why did I do that?

 

[jutfrank]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

You're right that there is some kind of question that you're asking yourself as to why you made the comment, but the question mark is really not necessary to get that idea across. It's already expressed by the utterance itself.

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Hi guys,

Thanks very much indeed for your responses. I will reply later on today.

Paul

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Phrases like I'm not sure why I did that are declarative statements, not questions. As such, a question mark is the wrong final punctuation.

The order of the second part's subject and verb tells you it can't be a question. Standard order is subject-verb: I did that.

Questions use inverted order: Why did I do that?

Hi GoesStation,

That's an excellent explanation, thank you. As I mentioned earlier, correct usage (and understanding) of this form is something I need to get to grips with because I use this particular type of structure rather frequently (eg. in forums).

I was unaware of the "subject-verb" and its inverted form 'rule', and so you have provided me with a robust model of which to adhere to.

Much appreciated,

Paul

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

You're right that there is some kind of question that you're asking yourself as to why you made the comment, but the question mark is really not necessary to get that idea across. It's already expressed by the utterance itself.

Hi jutfrank,

I am pleased that you, like myself, can sense the implication of one inwardly asking oneself a question.

Yes, I am quite certain that, as you kindly suggest, the question mark can be dropped altogether.

Many thanks,

Paul

 

[jutfrank]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Paul

It will interest you to know that your sentence is a very good example of what we call an indirect question, which in a sense is a question disguised as if it were not one.

You can read more about indirect questions here:

https://www.thoughtco.com/indirect-questions-1210671

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

It will interest you to know that your sentence is a very good example of what we call an indirect question, which in a sense is a question disguised as if it were not one.

You can read more about indirect questions here:

https://www.thoughtco.com/indirect-questions-1210671

That's brilliant!

I really appreciate the additional assistance jutfrank.

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Not quite. A question mark would be incorrect. You need a full stop (period).

Hi Piscean,

Do you mean in place of? (ie. a period replaces the question mark).

Cheers.

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Hi guys,

Incidentally, I have been closing down many of my online forum accounts of which I no longer frequent (you gotta' kill the lock-down time somehow!). I have, also, completely stripped down the content of my You Tube channel by an appreciable amount.

I came across this composition which I wrote during my studies at music college around 20 years ago. Goodness me, I really don't know what I was thinking; hence I dare say you will all have a field day with its title!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfR2UEJw1Cw

Thanks,

Paul

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Do you mean in place of? (ie. a period replaces the question mark).

Yes, your example should end in a full stop (period).

"Where is he?", I wonder. (Direct speech)
I wonder where he is. (Indirect speech)

"Why did I do that in the first place?", I asked myself.
I asked myself why I did/why I had done that in the first place.

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Yes, your example should end in a full stop (period).

"Where is he?", I wonder. (Direct speech)
I wonder where he is. (Indirect speech)

"Why did I do that in the first place?", I asked myself.
I asked myself why I did/why I had done that in the first place.

Hi emsr2d2,

Thanks very much indeed for kindly breaking it down further for me; it's all the much clearer now.

Paul

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Thanks very much indeed for kindly breaking it down further for me; it's all the much clearer now.

You can say either "... it's much clearer now" or "... it's all the clearer for your explanation", but not "... it's all the much clearer".

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

You can say either "... it's much clearer now" or "... it's all the clearer for your explanation", but not "... it's all the much clearer".

Somehow, all the more certain (for example) is fine, but the construction seemingly doesn't work with adjectives like "clear" that have comparative forms. In any case, all the much ​doesn't work anywhere.

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

Somehow, all the more certain (for example) is fine, but the construction seemingly doesn't work with adjectives like "clear" that have comparative forms. In any case, all the much ​doesn't work anywhere.

But "more certain" is the comparative form of "certain"! It's just that we don't use "certainer".

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

But "more certain" is the comparative form of "certain"! It's just that we don't use "certainer".

I was thinking of adjectives that don't have inflected​ comparatives.

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

You can say either "... it's much clearer now" or "... it's all the clearer for your explanation", but not "... it's all the much clearer".

I dare say that many people, myself very much included, tend to type/write in the same way as they would speak in everyday life. ie. If you always say, verbally, "... it's all the much clearer" then this form is likely to make itself into your writing.

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

"Where is he?", I wonder. (Direct speech)
I wonder where he is. (Indirect speech)

"Why did I do that in the first place?", I asked myself.
I asked myself why I did/why I had done that in the first place.

Many thanks for concisely defining 'direct' speech vs. 'indirect'

 

[Tdol]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfR2UEJw1Cw

I enjoyed the piece, but I would lose the comma.

 

[monsterjazzlicks]

Re: Correct Usage Of A Question Mark

I enjoyed the piece, but I would lose the comma.

It is wonderful to hear you took the time to listen to my piece, Tdol. Thank you.

You may, or may not, be interested in hearing a little of the background story regarding the title:

I was originally going to call it "Not What You Want?, But..." (ie. repositioning of the "But", plus the addition of a comma and ellipsis). The later syntax implies that an EXCUSE is given (by the narrative). eg. "Not What You Want?, But It's Better Than Nothing!" Anyway, whilst at music college, I asked my room-mate which version he preferred and he opted for the former - and so I went along with his choice. He was, and still is, an incredible musician and so I trusted his opinion implicitly (even though, like myself, he was not a student of English Language).

Paul