The question mark is used at the end of a direct question. Indirect questions end with a period.
Direct Questions
A question mark is used at the end of a direct question, while an indirect question takes a period.
- Direct Question:
What time does the meeting start? - Indirect Question:
I wonder what time the meeting starts. - Direct Question:
Is the new policy effective? - Indirect Question:
He asked if the new policy was effective.
Direct Questions within a Sentence
When a direct question is embedded within a larger sentence, it still takes a question mark. In these cases, the question mark replaces a comma.
- Correct:
Will she be able to attend? he asked curiously.
The main question, Can we meet the deadline? remained unanswered.
“Who took my keys?” she demanded. - Incorrect:
Will she be able to attend?, he asked curiously.
The main question, Can we meet the deadline?, remained unanswered.
“Who took my keys?,” she demanded.
Explanation: In these examples, the question mark replaces the comma that would normally follow. Using both is incorrect.
As Part of a Title of Work
When the question mark is part of the title of a work, a necessary comma in the sentence structure remains.
- Correct:
Have you seen Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, the famous play by Edward Albee?
“What’s in a Name?,” by Shakespeare, is a notable sonnet. - Incorrect:
Have you seen Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, the famous play by Edward Albee?
When the question mark is part of the title and ends a sentence, there is no need to add another period or question mark.
- Correct:
Did you watch Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
I just finished reading “What’s in a Name?” - Incorrect:
Did you watch Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf??
I just finished reading “What’s in a Name?”.
Requests
Requests that sound like questions but are actually commands or polite requests should end with a period instead of a question mark.
- Example:
Could you please email me the details by tomorrow.
Explanation: Even though this is phrased like a question, it’s actually a polite command, so it doesn’t require a question mark.
Expressing Uncertainty
A question mark can indicate uncertainty in a sentence, usually placed in parentheses or brackets. This usage expresses doubt about specific details.
- Example:
The reaction produced about 50(?) milliliters of solution.
The painting is believed to be from the 18th century(?).
Explanation: The question mark shows that the number 50 and 18th century is uncertain or approximate.