Punctuation of an exclamative question
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up vote
7
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What is the proper way of writing an exclamative question:
- What are you doing!?
- What are you doing?!
or is it better to just leave it as a simple question?
punctuation question-mark exclamation-mark
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
What is the proper way of writing an exclamative question:
- What are you doing!?
- What are you doing?!
or is it better to just leave it as a simple question?
punctuation question-mark exclamation-mark
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
1
Interesting question. You don't see "!?" in formal writing, but I think it's valuable.
– Jeremy
Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
What is the proper way of writing an exclamative question:
- What are you doing!?
- What are you doing?!
or is it better to just leave it as a simple question?
punctuation question-mark exclamation-mark
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
What is the proper way of writing an exclamative question:
- What are you doing!?
- What are you doing?!
or is it better to just leave it as a simple question?
punctuation question-mark exclamation-mark
punctuation question-mark exclamation-mark
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
82.4k31281377
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
asked Sep 15 '11 at 14:26
ahodder
2591313
2591313
1
Interesting question. You don't see "!?" in formal writing, but I think it's valuable.
– Jeremy
Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
add a comment |
1
Interesting question. You don't see "!?" in formal writing, but I think it's valuable.
– Jeremy
Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
1
1
Interesting question. You don't see "!?" in formal writing, but I think it's valuable.
– Jeremy
Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
Interesting question. You don't see "!?" in formal writing, but I think it's valuable.
– Jeremy
Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
According to the Interrobang wikipedia page, this symbol [‽] has been created to convey the meaning of your question. Using it you ask "a question in an excited manner, express excitement or disbelief in the form of a question, or ask a rhetorical question."
But, always in that page, you can see it's a nonstandard symbol, so like it says, "in standard English, the same inflection is usually notated by ending a sentence with first a question mark and then an exclamation mark."
Now, it's also true that in an informal context, most people won't really care about it, but if you must choose a "line", it's that one.
Concerning formal writing, I'd suggest to avoid any of these and focus on the wording to convey the "exclamative" tone of the question.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
The Interrobang is available in a number of fonts. If you do not have one of those handy, there are two text variants in common use: '?!' for an exclamatory interrogative and '!?' for an interrogative exclamation. Pick the order to match the intended emotion. Except in the most formal communications your reader will readily understand these two usages. Examples can be found in published writing as mentioned in some of the references provided in the Interrobang Wikipedia article.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:19
Fouthaus still maintains an interesting x-height article, The Interrobang is Back: An American punctation mark, that gives some history and indicating renewed current interest.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 19:33
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
The question mark and exclamation point should not be used together as in your examples 1 and 2.
The simple solution here would be to use the exclamation point only, treating the sentence as an indirection question:
What are you doing?
Yet, there are other ways of indicating emphasis. Consider italicizing the key word (from your perspective):
What are you doing?
Or, you could employ additional text for clarification, e.g.:
"What are you doing?" she shouted at him.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
I respectfully disagree. The question mark by itself simply does not express the full intent of the communication. That's exactly why the interrobang had to be invented by Martin K. Speckter in 1962.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:25
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The correct way is:
What are you doing?!
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
It is better to leave it as a simple question because it sounds and looks informal with an exclamation point; it is incorrect punctuation, too.
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
There is an old English punctuation mark that combines the two. It's a question mark dissected by an exclamation point, you've probably seen them in comics and graphic novels. This may already have been covered but I didn't bother reading any other comments.
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
According to the Interrobang wikipedia page, this symbol [‽] has been created to convey the meaning of your question. Using it you ask "a question in an excited manner, express excitement or disbelief in the form of a question, or ask a rhetorical question."
But, always in that page, you can see it's a nonstandard symbol, so like it says, "in standard English, the same inflection is usually notated by ending a sentence with first a question mark and then an exclamation mark."
Now, it's also true that in an informal context, most people won't really care about it, but if you must choose a "line", it's that one.
Concerning formal writing, I'd suggest to avoid any of these and focus on the wording to convey the "exclamative" tone of the question.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
The Interrobang is available in a number of fonts. If you do not have one of those handy, there are two text variants in common use: '?!' for an exclamatory interrogative and '!?' for an interrogative exclamation. Pick the order to match the intended emotion. Except in the most formal communications your reader will readily understand these two usages. Examples can be found in published writing as mentioned in some of the references provided in the Interrobang Wikipedia article.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:19
Fouthaus still maintains an interesting x-height article, The Interrobang is Back: An American punctation mark, that gives some history and indicating renewed current interest.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 19:33
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
According to the Interrobang wikipedia page, this symbol [‽] has been created to convey the meaning of your question. Using it you ask "a question in an excited manner, express excitement or disbelief in the form of a question, or ask a rhetorical question."
But, always in that page, you can see it's a nonstandard symbol, so like it says, "in standard English, the same inflection is usually notated by ending a sentence with first a question mark and then an exclamation mark."
Now, it's also true that in an informal context, most people won't really care about it, but if you must choose a "line", it's that one.
Concerning formal writing, I'd suggest to avoid any of these and focus on the wording to convey the "exclamative" tone of the question.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
The Interrobang is available in a number of fonts. If you do not have one of those handy, there are two text variants in common use: '?!' for an exclamatory interrogative and '!?' for an interrogative exclamation. Pick the order to match the intended emotion. Except in the most formal communications your reader will readily understand these two usages. Examples can be found in published writing as mentioned in some of the references provided in the Interrobang Wikipedia article.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:19
Fouthaus still maintains an interesting x-height article, The Interrobang is Back: An American punctation mark, that gives some history and indicating renewed current interest.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 19:33
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
According to the Interrobang wikipedia page, this symbol [‽] has been created to convey the meaning of your question. Using it you ask "a question in an excited manner, express excitement or disbelief in the form of a question, or ask a rhetorical question."
But, always in that page, you can see it's a nonstandard symbol, so like it says, "in standard English, the same inflection is usually notated by ending a sentence with first a question mark and then an exclamation mark."
Now, it's also true that in an informal context, most people won't really care about it, but if you must choose a "line", it's that one.
Concerning formal writing, I'd suggest to avoid any of these and focus on the wording to convey the "exclamative" tone of the question.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
According to the Interrobang wikipedia page, this symbol [‽] has been created to convey the meaning of your question. Using it you ask "a question in an excited manner, express excitement or disbelief in the form of a question, or ask a rhetorical question."
But, always in that page, you can see it's a nonstandard symbol, so like it says, "in standard English, the same inflection is usually notated by ending a sentence with first a question mark and then an exclamation mark."
Now, it's also true that in an informal context, most people won't really care about it, but if you must choose a "line", it's that one.
Concerning formal writing, I'd suggest to avoid any of these and focus on the wording to convey the "exclamative" tone of the question.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
edited Sep 15 '11 at 14:54
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:41
Alenanno
16.6k23773
16.6k23773
The Interrobang is available in a number of fonts. If you do not have one of those handy, there are two text variants in common use: '?!' for an exclamatory interrogative and '!?' for an interrogative exclamation. Pick the order to match the intended emotion. Except in the most formal communications your reader will readily understand these two usages. Examples can be found in published writing as mentioned in some of the references provided in the Interrobang Wikipedia article.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:19
Fouthaus still maintains an interesting x-height article, The Interrobang is Back: An American punctation mark, that gives some history and indicating renewed current interest.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 19:33
add a comment |
The Interrobang is available in a number of fonts. If you do not have one of those handy, there are two text variants in common use: '?!' for an exclamatory interrogative and '!?' for an interrogative exclamation. Pick the order to match the intended emotion. Except in the most formal communications your reader will readily understand these two usages. Examples can be found in published writing as mentioned in some of the references provided in the Interrobang Wikipedia article.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:19
Fouthaus still maintains an interesting x-height article, The Interrobang is Back: An American punctation mark, that gives some history and indicating renewed current interest.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 19:33
The Interrobang is available in a number of fonts. If you do not have one of those handy, there are two text variants in common use: '?!' for an exclamatory interrogative and '!?' for an interrogative exclamation. Pick the order to match the intended emotion. Except in the most formal communications your reader will readily understand these two usages. Examples can be found in published writing as mentioned in some of the references provided in the Interrobang Wikipedia article.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:19
The Interrobang is available in a number of fonts. If you do not have one of those handy, there are two text variants in common use: '?!' for an exclamatory interrogative and '!?' for an interrogative exclamation. Pick the order to match the intended emotion. Except in the most formal communications your reader will readily understand these two usages. Examples can be found in published writing as mentioned in some of the references provided in the Interrobang Wikipedia article.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:19
Fouthaus still maintains an interesting x-height article, The Interrobang is Back: An American punctation mark, that gives some history and indicating renewed current interest.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 19:33
Fouthaus still maintains an interesting x-height article, The Interrobang is Back: An American punctation mark, that gives some history and indicating renewed current interest.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 19:33
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
The question mark and exclamation point should not be used together as in your examples 1 and 2.
The simple solution here would be to use the exclamation point only, treating the sentence as an indirection question:
What are you doing?
Yet, there are other ways of indicating emphasis. Consider italicizing the key word (from your perspective):
What are you doing?
Or, you could employ additional text for clarification, e.g.:
"What are you doing?" she shouted at him.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
I respectfully disagree. The question mark by itself simply does not express the full intent of the communication. That's exactly why the interrobang had to be invented by Martin K. Speckter in 1962.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:25
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
The question mark and exclamation point should not be used together as in your examples 1 and 2.
The simple solution here would be to use the exclamation point only, treating the sentence as an indirection question:
What are you doing?
Yet, there are other ways of indicating emphasis. Consider italicizing the key word (from your perspective):
What are you doing?
Or, you could employ additional text for clarification, e.g.:
"What are you doing?" she shouted at him.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
I respectfully disagree. The question mark by itself simply does not express the full intent of the communication. That's exactly why the interrobang had to be invented by Martin K. Speckter in 1962.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:25
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
The question mark and exclamation point should not be used together as in your examples 1 and 2.
The simple solution here would be to use the exclamation point only, treating the sentence as an indirection question:
What are you doing?
Yet, there are other ways of indicating emphasis. Consider italicizing the key word (from your perspective):
What are you doing?
Or, you could employ additional text for clarification, e.g.:
"What are you doing?" she shouted at him.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
The question mark and exclamation point should not be used together as in your examples 1 and 2.
The simple solution here would be to use the exclamation point only, treating the sentence as an indirection question:
What are you doing?
Yet, there are other ways of indicating emphasis. Consider italicizing the key word (from your perspective):
What are you doing?
Or, you could employ additional text for clarification, e.g.:
"What are you doing?" she shouted at him.
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
answered Sep 15 '11 at 14:40
The Raven
11.7k2447
11.7k2447
I respectfully disagree. The question mark by itself simply does not express the full intent of the communication. That's exactly why the interrobang had to be invented by Martin K. Speckter in 1962.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:25
add a comment |
I respectfully disagree. The question mark by itself simply does not express the full intent of the communication. That's exactly why the interrobang had to be invented by Martin K. Speckter in 1962.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:25
I respectfully disagree. The question mark by itself simply does not express the full intent of the communication. That's exactly why the interrobang had to be invented by Martin K. Speckter in 1962.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:25
I respectfully disagree. The question mark by itself simply does not express the full intent of the communication. That's exactly why the interrobang had to be invented by Martin K. Speckter in 1962.
– John Tobler
Sep 16 '11 at 18:25
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The correct way is:
What are you doing?!
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The correct way is:
What are you doing?!
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
The correct way is:
What are you doing?!
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
The correct way is:
What are you doing?!
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
edited May 6 '13 at 20:54
RegDwigнt♦
82.4k31281377
82.4k31281377
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
answered May 6 '13 at 19:33
Carlos hernández
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
It is better to leave it as a simple question because it sounds and looks informal with an exclamation point; it is incorrect punctuation, too.
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
It is better to leave it as a simple question because it sounds and looks informal with an exclamation point; it is incorrect punctuation, too.
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
It is better to leave it as a simple question because it sounds and looks informal with an exclamation point; it is incorrect punctuation, too.
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
It is better to leave it as a simple question because it sounds and looks informal with an exclamation point; it is incorrect punctuation, too.
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
answered 4 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
31
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Happy Shah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
There is an old English punctuation mark that combines the two. It's a question mark dissected by an exclamation point, you've probably seen them in comics and graphic novels. This may already have been covered but I didn't bother reading any other comments.
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
There is an old English punctuation mark that combines the two. It's a question mark dissected by an exclamation point, you've probably seen them in comics and graphic novels. This may already have been covered but I didn't bother reading any other comments.
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
There is an old English punctuation mark that combines the two. It's a question mark dissected by an exclamation point, you've probably seen them in comics and graphic novels. This may already have been covered but I didn't bother reading any other comments.
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
There is an old English punctuation mark that combines the two. It's a question mark dissected by an exclamation point, you've probably seen them in comics and graphic novels. This may already have been covered but I didn't bother reading any other comments.
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
edited 3 hours ago
Happy Shah
31
31
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
answered 4 hours ago
Daniel King
1
1
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Daniel King is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
Interesting question. You don't see "!?" in formal writing, but I think it's valuable.
– Jeremy
Sep 15 '11 at 14:40