When to Use QUESTION MARKS

This video simplifies grammar questions relating to the use of question marks by boiling it down to 3 main rules.

Illustrated examples are provided along with clipart images to make the meaning clear.

Improve your writing and make your written communication professional by learning how to use question marks correctly.

After seeing the video, look for opportunities today to use question marks clearly in your writing.

Here is a transcript of the video: How to Use QUESTION MARKS

Slide 2:
Remember, in English there are
7 QUESTION WORDS:

HOW
WHAT
WHEN
WHERE
WHICH
WHO
WHY

Slide 3:
. . . and there are the 3 types of questions:

Direct questions
Indirect questions
Rhetorical questions

Slide 4:
DIRECTION QUESTION

A question that demands an answer.

A question mark is always used at the end of the sentence, replacing a period.

Slide 5:
She asked her friend, “What are you going to do, now that you’ve lost your job?”

Slide 6:
She said, “I think it might stop raining by the time we get home, don’t you?”

Note: Here the question is simply asked for confirmation or agreement.

Slide 7:
INDIRECTION QUESTION

A statement containing a question word, or a statement with a question embedded in it.

A question mark is not used.

Slide 8:
She wanted to know which doctor her friend was seeing.

Slide 9:
She kept asking herself how much longer she was going to have to wait.

Slide 10:
RHETORICAL QUESTION

A question that is asked for effect, or to add emphasis. A verbal answer is not expected.

A question mark is optional.

Slide 11:
He suddenly blurted out, “Oh no, I’ve forgotten my keys; how could I be so stupid!”

Note: With this rhetorical question, the writer chose not to use a question mark but an exclamation mark instead for emphasis.

Slide 12:
Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?
—Groucho Marks

Slide 13:
So to summarize,
How do you use question marks?

Always with direct questions.
Never with indirect questions.
Optional with rhetorical questions.

Slide 14:
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Slide 15:
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Slide 17:
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As you interested in when to use QUESTION MARKS, be sure to check another video from The Punctuation Guide:
When to Use QUOTATION MARKS

Image Credits:

Slides 1, 12 – wedding
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/qZeio1

Slide 5 – two women
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/xpW12p

Slide 6 – umbrella
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/2jLczhq

Slide 7 – elderly friends
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/o6yT5H

Slide 9 – waiting
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/aU44aM

Slide 11 – man on phone
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/BEaCN

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

Creative Commons Attribution Licence
Others are allowed to copy, distribute, display, and perform copyrighted work – and derivative works based upon it if they give credit to the creator or source.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode