Do you put a question mark after an indirect question?
1 An indirect question does not warrant a question mark. Only a direct question does. 2 Bear in mind that "if" and "whether" are not always interchangeable. "If" heads a condition. "Whether" doesn't. 3 The word order of an indirect question is the same word order as a statement ( subject-verb) not a question ( verb-subject ).
What are some common mistakes people make with indirect questions?
By far the most common mistake with indirect questions is using a question mark at the end of a sentence that isn't a question. She needs to know where you're going? Tell the staff if you feel cold?
Is there a question that never takes a question mark?
There is one type of question that never takes a question mark: the indirect question. Indirect questions are embedded within declarative statements: The chicken asked whether anyone wanted to cross the road with her. We all wondered why the chicken was so obsessed with that road.
What is the word order in an indirect question?
Remember that the word order in an indirect question is the same as for a declarative sentence (i.e., a statement) and not an interrogative sentence (i.e., a question).
Do we use question marks in indirect questions?
But a question mark is not used in an indirect question, in which the speaker's exact words are not repeated: She asked if I had a pen she could borrow. The teacher asked how many of us had pets at home. Here only a full stop is used, since the whole sentence is now a statement.
What is an example of an indirect question?
Indirect questions are a little more formal and polite. We use them when talking to a person we don't know very well, or in professional situations, and their form is a little different. Example of an indirect question: “Could you tell me where the bathroom is?”
What punctuation is used indirect questions?
periodThe question mark is used at the end of a direct question. Indirect questions take a period.
How do you write an indirect question?
It uses the word order of a statement and it is a noun clause. So, to form an indirect question, again start with an indirect question phrase, such as “Can you tell me…?” Then, for information requests, add one of the six question words: where, what, when, who, why or how. We call these “wh-question” words.
How do you identify an indirect question?
Indirect Questions Are Worded Like Statements not Questions. Notice that the indirect question has the word order "the time is" (i.e., subject + verb) not "is the time" (i.e., verb + subject). In other words, an indirect question has the same word order as a statement, not a question.) I'm asking where you are going.
Does every question need a question mark?
Just because you use the word “ask” in a sentence doesn't mean the sentence should end with a question mark. For example, you don't need a question mark at the end of this sentence: Ask your friend who went to the movie with him.
What are the three parts of an indirect question?
Indirect questions have three components:Verb of Asking, Requesting, Demanding, etc. Indirect questions must be introduced by a word which can express a question indirectly, e.g. think (why...), wonder (how...), realize (who...), etc.Question Word. ... Subordinate Verb.
What is the difference between direct questions and indirect questions?
Summary – Direct Questions vs Indirect Questions A direct question always ends with a question mark, but this is not always true with indirect questions. Moreover, a direct question is not a statement, but an indirect question is always embedded inside another question or statement.
What kinds of questions do not use question marks?
Indirect questions There is one type of question that never takes a question mark: the indirect question. Indirect questions are embedded within declarative statements: The chicken asked whether anyone wanted to cross the road with her.
How do you write a question mark in direct speech?
If the direct speech is a question or exclamation, we use a question mark or exclamation mark, not a comma: 'Is there a reason for this? ' she asked. “I hate you!” he shouted.
Is a question without a question mark a question?
Questions like these, which do not require or expect an answer, are called rhetorical questions. Because they are questions in form only, rhetorical questions may be written without question marks.
How do you convert a direct question to an indirect question?
To change a direct question to an indirect question for tenses that make questions using inversion, you just add 'if' and change the word order back to a normal positive sentence. Why is he unhappy? Can you tell me why he is unhappy?
What is an indirect answer?
An indirect answer is the result of the speaker (R) expressing only part of the planned response, i.e., omitting the direct answer (and possibly more), but intending for his discourse plan to be recognized by the hearer (Q).
How old are indirect questions?
The answer to this question will be: He asked me how old I am. In an indirect speech, the words 'said to' is converted into the verb 'asked' since the person is questioning the narrator how old he/she/they is/are.
How do you write a negative question?
We use not or n't to form negative questions. When there is no modal verb or be, we use auxiliary verb do + n't (don't, do not, doesn't, does not, didn't):
How do you change direct speech into indirect speech examples?
Direct to indirect speech example: Direct: He said, 'We cannot live without air'. Indirect: He said that we cannot live without air. The tenses of direct speech do not change if the reporting verb is in the future tense or present tense.
What are the types of questions?
Types of questionsClosed questions. ... Open questions. ... Funnel questions. ... Leading questions. ... Recall and process questions. ... Rhetorical questions. ... Divergent questions. ... Probing questions.More items...
Why are people not using question marks?
No doubt some people do leave out question marks because they lack the energy, or the patience more likely, for a few extra keystrokes. But the context in which question marks often disappear suggests another explanation: When writers omit them, they're doing so to indicate that the question is rhetorical.
Can you ask two questions one sentence?
It might look awkward to some, but the laws of grammar state that when multiple questions are asked in the same sentence, a "?" can be used in place of a comma to indicate multiple questions. This should, however, only be done in works of fiction, primarily in dialogue.
Is Can you please a question?
The sentence beginning with "please can..." is a question, and it should have a question mark. It is a mistake/omission by the writer. If the sentence was "Please give us some context and an example sentence" (without "can you"), then it is imperative, and shouldn't have a question mark.
What is an indirect answer?
An indirect answer is the result of the speaker (R) expressing only part of the planned response, i.e., omitting the direct answer (and possibly more), but intending for his discourse plan to be recognized by the hearer (Q).
What is an indirect question in psychology?
Thomas S. Kane: Indirect questions do not close with a question mark but with a period. Like direct questions, they demand a response, but they are expressed as declarations without the formal characteristics of a question. That is, they have no inversion, no interrogative words, and no special intonation.
What is an example of a leading question?
A leading question suggests a particular answer that the questioner desires – most often a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer. ∎ “Were you in Los Angeles last week?” ∎ You were in Los Angeles last week, weren't you? ∎ You didn't see the stop sign, did you?
What's an open ended question examples?
Examples of open-ended questions include:Tell me about your relationship with your supervisor.How do you see your future?Tell me about the children in this photograph.What is the purpose of government?Why did you choose that answer?
When should indirect questions end?
1. Indirect questions should end with a question mark only when they begin with a question-asking word (i.e. could, would, do, etc.). In your case, a period should be used, as your inquiry is written as a statement (not starting with a question-asking word).
Why do you not need a question mark?
You do not need a question mark because the sentence is what is called an "indirect question.". Indirect questions do not close with a question mark but with a period. Like direct questions they demand a response, but they are expressed as declarations without the formal characteristics of a question. More explanation here.
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Do indirect questions close with a period?
Indirect questions do not close with a question mark but with a period. Like direct questions they demand a response, but they are expressed as declarations without the formal characteristics of a question.
When to use period in a question?
In your case, a period should be used, as your inquiry is written as a statement (not starting with a question-asking word ).
Do indirect questions need to be changed?
Indirect questions are quite handy, since you don't need to change intonation or actually make the sentence look, talk and walk like a question (which is slightly more work than not). Plus, the second sentence is a break, both mentally and linguistically.
What is indirect question?
Indirect questions are a more polite way to ask for information or make requests. We often use them when asking something of strangers or people we do not know well, including coworkers. We also use them when asking for favors from friends or when we want to avoid sounding demanding.
What are the six questions?
Then, for information requests, add one of the six question words: where, what, when, who, why or how. We call these “wh-question” words. For example, you heard the word where in “where MacDougal Street is.”
Do indirect questions contain a wh?
But, some indirect questions do not contain wh-question words. These are direct “yes or no” questions that we convert into indirect questions. For example:
Is "has" separated by subject?
You’ll notice that, in the indirect examples, the has from the verb is no longer separated by the subject, like in question word order. Instead it appears together, as it would in a statement.
Is "please" a direct question?
Even with “please” in the direct question, it sounds a little too direct for such a major request. Now, listen to the same question introduced by the indirect phrases: “Is there any chance…?” and “Would it be possible…?”
Can you ask a big favor indirectly?
You can also ask a big favor indirectly with the phrase “I was wondering…”:
Do you forget to use "if" or "if" in indirect questions?
Many English learners forget to keep statement word order in the noun clauses of indirect questions. For “yes or no” questions, they may also forget to use if or whether. For example, they may say: “Do you know are they coming with us?”
What is indirect question?
Indirect questions are a way of being polite. They are very, very common in English, especially when you're talking to someone you don't know. To make an indirect 'yes / no' question, we use 'if' and the word order of a normal positive sentence. This is the same as for reported 'yes / no' questions.
How to change a direct question to an indirect question?
To change a direct question to an indirect question for tenses that make questions using inversion, you just add 'if' and change the word order back to a normal positive sentence.
How to change a question from a direct yes to an indirect question?
To change from a direct 'yes / no' question with inversion to an indirect question, you add 'if' and change the word order back to a normal positive sentence. You don't need to use inversion.
Do you backshift in a Wh question?
We don't need to use inversion. Again, we also don't usually need to 'backshift' (change the tense of the verb) as we do with reported questions.
What Is a Question Mark For?
The main purpose of a question mark, perhaps unsurprisingly, is to indicate that a sentence is a question. Direct questions often (but not always) begin with a wh- word (who, what, when, where, why).
Which type of question never takes a question mark?
There is one type of question that never takes a question mark: the indirect question. Indirect questions are embedded within declarative statements:
Where do you put the question mark in parentheses?
The rules for question marks and parentheses are similar to the rules for question marks and quotation marks. If a question mark applies to the parenthetical information, place the question mark inside the parentheses:
Why do we use a question mark in a sentence?
But in writing, you need a question mark to signal to readers that they should read the sentence as a question.
How much did the chicken find on the other side of the road?
Did you hear? The chicken found a million dollars on the other side of the road!
What is the meaning of "phrasing a question"?
Phrasing a question as an imperative or declarative statement is an emphatic way to express surprise, doubt, or disbelief.
What would you miss out on without question marks?
Without question marks, we’d miss out on all kinds of things: invitations, jokes, the Riddler . . .