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Velvet Digest

Is it a question without a question mark?

Author

William Brown

Updated on May 25, 2026

An indirect question never takes a question mark. 6.73 Indirect one-word question. When a question within a sentence consists of a single word, such as who, when, how, or why, a question mark may be omitted, and the word is sometimes italicized. [Relevant example:] The question was no longer how but when.

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Similarly, it is asked, can a question be asked without a question mark?

Rule 3b. Some sentences are statements—or demands—in the form of a question. They are called rhetorical questions because they don't require or expect an answer. Many should be written without question marks.

Furthermore, why do people not use 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.

Secondly, are question marks necessary?

Write the Right Word: Question Marks Not Always Necessary. Just because you use the word “ask” in a sentence doesn't mean the sentence should end with a question mark. You shouldn't use a question mark because you aren't asking the question; you are requesting that someone else ask the question.

How do you punctuate a question within a sentence?

The MLA Style Center

  1. If a direct question contained in a sentence is long or has internal punctuation, set the question off with a comma and begin it with a capital letter:
  2. A single question contained in a sentence can also be preceded by a colon as long as the word before the question is not a verb.
Related Question Answers

Can you have a question mark in the middle of a sentence?

1. Do not use a comma after a question mark occurring in the middle of a sentence. Do not use a period after a question mark occurring in the end of a sentence, even if followed by quotation marks.

What are indirect questions?

An indirect question is a question embedded inside a statement (i.e., a declarative sentence) or another question (i.e., an interrogative sentence).

Can a statement be a question?

Questions, commands and advice are typically not statements, because they do not express something that is either true or false. But sometimes people use them rhetorically to express statements. We saw an example of a question which by itself is not a statement, but can be used to express a statement.

Is a question mark needed for a rhetorical question?

Rhetorical questions can be ended with either a question mark, an exclamation mark or a period. Using a question mark is probably the most common choice, but it is really up to the writer to use whatever punctuation matches best the intent of the rhetorical question.

Is could always a question?

5 Answers. Actually, sentences that begin with 'could', 'should', or 'would' are questions and should have a trailing question mark.

What is a rhetorical question example?

Rhetorical Questions with Obvious Answers These rhetorical questions are often asked to emphasize a point: Is the pope Catholic? Is rain wet? You didn't think I would say yes to that, did you? Do you want to be a failure for the rest of your life?

Does a question mark end a sentence?

Rule: The question mark ends the sentence; no additional period. Rule: The question mark (inside the closing quotation mark) ends the sentence; no period. She kept asking, “Why me?” The question mark (inside the closing quotation mark) ends the sentence; no additional question mark.

What is Question Mark and examples?

A question mark (?) is a punctuation symbol placed at the end of a sentence or phrase to indicate a direct question, as in: She asked, "Are you happy to be home?" The question mark is also called an interrogation point, note of interrogation, or question point.

Where do you put a question mark in a long sentence?

Note that you put a question mark at the end of a question, even if the words in the sentence are not in the normal question order, or some words are omitted. Care is needed here as such a sentence can look, at first sight, like a statement rather than a question.

When should a question mark be used?

Question marks in formal and informal writing Question marks are used in both formal and non-formal writing and in cases where direct and indirect questions are being asked. They are one of the few pieces of punctuation that indicate only one thing.

What would happen if questions?

  • What would happen if you fell into a black hole?
  • What if Earth were twice as big?
  • What if everyone on Earth jumped at once?
  • What if the moon had never formed?
  • What if humans were twice as intelligent?
  • What if all the cats in the world suddenly died?
  • What if we were closer to the Milky Way's edge?

Is the word is a verb?

The State of Being Verbs Is is what is known as a state of being verb. The most common state of being verb is to be, along with its conjugations (is, am, are, was, were, being, been). As we can see, is is a conjugation of the verb be. It takes the third person singular present form.

Where does the question mark go?

According to AP style, a question mark is inside quotation marks if that part is the question and outside the quotation marks if the whole sentence is a question. (The same rule applies to exclamation marks and dashes. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks.)

Is it rude to use multiple question marks?

Why is it impolite to write multiple question marks? I wouldn't call it impolite, but it is grammatically unnecessary. All you need is a single question mark to indicate that the sentence it completes is an interogatory. If you're using multiple question marks in a text or email, it's like writing in all caps.

What does two question marks mean at the end of a sentence?

Explanation: Double question marks are never usually used in poems, newspapers, texts etc as using double question marks isn't punctually correct. If double question marks are uses it is to emphasise something in return, usually from the shock of the previous thing said.

Can you start a sentence with and?

It's Fine to Start a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction. And, but, and or are the three most common members of a group of words known as coordinating conjunctions. In fact, a substantial percentage (often as many as 10 percent) of the sentences in first-rate writing begin with conjunctions.

Can you email a question mark?

It's not the question mark itself; rather, it's how you use it. You're probably asking questions that are too generic and failing to answer them in your email copy. You might get more opens than usual but fewer clicks.