A question mark is used at the end of a sentence that asks a direct question. It is not used at the end of a statement that contains an indirect question. In informal writing, question marks also can be used with single words.
Example:
Direct question: Are you going to the fiesta tonight?
Indirect question: I asked them if they were going to the fiesta tonight.
Single words:
- What? I couldn’t hear you over the radio.
- So? It’s no trouble to make room for another quest.
1) POLITE REQUESTS
Many business letters contain requests for information, compliance, reply, or permission. These requests can be punctuated using wither a period or a question mark.
Example:
Period: Would you please send me a brochure describing your company’s products.
Question mark: Would you please send me a brochure describing your company’s products?
2) SERIES OF QUESTION
Question marks are used after each question in a sentence containing a series of questions.
Example: How much are you willing to gamble on your future? your family’s health? your career?
3) QUOTATION MARKS
Question marks are placed inside quotation marks when the quoted material is a question. Otherwise, they are placed outside quotation marks.
Example:
- “Are the stuntmen in place?” the director asked.
- I just finished the short story “Where Are We Going?”
- Have you read “Ballad of the Sad Café"? (The quoted material is not a question. The entire sentence is the question.)
- Did he say “no vacation” or “no early vacation”?
