Why the question mark? History of the origin of the question mark. When you don't have to put a question mark
We all know that a question mark is placed at the end of a sentence and expresses doubt or question. But not everyone knows that this punctuation mark comes from two Latin letters “q” and “o” (these are the first and last letters of the Latin word “quæstio”, which means “search” or “question”).
Previously, such an abbreviation (qo) was used to end a question sentence, and later it was replaced by a ligature in the form of a question mark. Originally, the letter "q" was written above the "o". Later, such writing turned into the modern style known to us.
In most languages, a question mark is placed exclusively at the end of a sentence. But in Spanish Question and exclamation marks (“¡!” and “¿?”) are placed at the beginning and end of a sentence. In this case, the inverted sign stands before the sentence, and the ordinary sign at the end. For example: “¿Cómo estás?” (Spanish).
The Spanish language has long used one question mark. It was only after 1754, when the Royal Academy of Languages published the second edition of Spelling, that question marks began to begin and end interrogative sentences. The same goes for the exclamation mark.
This rule did not immediately find wide application. In the 19th century, there are still texts where there are no question marks and exclamation marks inverted at the beginning of sentences. But the syntax of the Spanish language is considered peculiar, and sometimes it is difficult to determine in which part of a complex phrase the interrogative part begins. Therefore, over time, all texts began to include two question marks and exclamation marks in sentences.
For quite a long time in the Spanish language, inverted signs were used only in long sentences in order to avoid their false interpretation. But in short and simple questions they put only one question mark at the end of the sentence.
Modern Spanish is greatly influenced by English language. Today, this language is increasingly limited to just one question mark. This trend can be observed especially clearly on forums on the Internet.
As for the Russian language, until the end of the 15th century, all texts were written either without spaces between words, or were divided into unbroken segments. The period in Russian writing appeared in the 1480s, and the comma in the 1520s. The semicolon appeared later and was used as a question mark. Even later, question marks and exclamation marks began to be used. The dash was first used in his texts by N. Karamzin, and by the end of the 18th century. this punctuation mark began to be used more actively.
Is it necessary question mark at the end of the sentence “Ask your mom, she knows this person*”
To convey interrogative intonation, it can be put question mark. But it's better to rephrase: Ask your mom if she knows this person.
| Question No. 299250 | ||
Good afternoon Tell me how to correctly format the title “Did you know that...” - is it necessary? question mark?
Russian help desk response
Question mark after the ellipsis is not needed.
| Question No. 298682 | ||
Should I put question mark at the end of similar sentences? Or here in the middle question mark and a dash? “What he needs from me, I cannot understand.” “I don’t understand what you want to tell me.”
Russian help desk response
Question mark no need to put it.
| Question No. 297607 | ||
If the construction “Do you know that...” is used as a heading, then comes the answer (new sentence). Should I use a question mark?
Russian help desk response
Question mark in this case it is not needed.
| Question No. 296433 | ||
Hello. I have a question. Please tell me if it is possible to use question mark at the end of the title in a scientific publication, in my case it is the title scientific publication in the field of history. I really hope for your answer.
Russian help desk response
Among the articles on history and historical sciences, published on the website of the Cyberleninka project, we found several similar examples. Therefore, there is no prohibition on using a question mark at the end of the titles of scientific articles.
| Question No. 295836 | ||
Children and adults think (,) how to help her (?) The question is whether to put a comma and a question mark or not?
Russian help desk response
You need to put a comma question mark- No.
| Question No. 295811 | ||
Hello! Should I put question mark in text headings like: “How to determine profitability...?”, “In what cases is... required?”, “Why do you need a certificate...?”, “What is devaluation?”? If question mark it is not necessary to put it, how can this be justified (after all, this is an interrogative sentence)? Thank you!
Russian help desk response
Such sentences can be intonationally framed both as interrogative and as declarative. At the end of the title - interrogative sentence is placed question mark, at the end of the title - a narrative non-exclamatory sentence, no sign is placed. The author decides on punctuation marks. Wed. book titles: Do we know Russian?(M. D. Aksenova), What do you say?(V.F. Barashkov) and What are we talking about?(I. B. Levontina), How to parse and assemble a word(I. G. Miloslavsky).
| Question No. 294640 | ||
Good afternoon We need your hint about the question mark with sentences in quotation marks. I've heard that when an interrogative sentence is in quotation marks, a question mark is placed after the quotation marks. What if it’s a two-sentence event title? Creative meeting "Crocheting. How to knit quickly"? How are the closing quotation marks placed in this case: before the question mark or after? Please tell me.
Russian help desk response
If a question mark is included in the name of the event (in the example above, it appears to be), then it is written before the closing quotation marks: Creative meeting "Crocheting. How to knit quickly?"
If question mark refers to the entire sentence, then after the quotation marks. For example: Have you watched the film "Gogol. The Beginning"?
| Question No. 294634 | ||
Please tell me, is it possible to combine a question mark with an ellipsis at the end of a sentence? If yes, how is it formalized? With three dots (?..) or four (?...) Thanks in advance
Russian help desk response
Yes, it's possible. It is written question mark and two dots: ... this is the end?..
| Question No. 294262 | ||
Hello! I would like to clarify which sign to put at the end of a sentence, one part of which is narrative, and the other contains a question. The sentence is: Who needs the truth, I would like to know (?) What is better to put here, question mark or point? Answer please.
Russian help desk response
If the words I would like to know do not contain a question (would you like to or would you not?), you must put a period at the end of the sentence.
| Question No. 293930 | ||
Good afternoon. Please tell me whether a period is needed inside the quotation mark or another period (after the quotation mark) in the sentence: When I was getting ready to move to France, I heard only one thing: “You're lucky. Go."
Russian help desk response
The period is placed only after the closing quotes: When I was getting ready to move to France, I heard only one thing: “You're lucky. Go." And here question mark, an exclamation point and an ellipsis are placed before quotation marks: When I was getting ready to move to France, I heard only one thing: “You're lucky. Go!”
| Question No. 292287 | ||
Hello. Sorry for bothering you, but I have been tormented by one question for a long time, the answer to which I could not find. I will be very grateful if you help me with this. The bottom line is this: is it possible to write addresses in the third person with the particle “would”? Example: Katya, I would clean up and go to rest. Zhenya would put her head on her shoulders (, ?) and say: “My dear, I’m so tired.” One more thing. If at the beginning of a sentence there is a question, and then it smoothly turns into a narrative one, is there no question mark?
Russian help desk response
Such incentive sentences, starting with an appeal, can be constructed.
If the sentence is pronounced without interrogative intonation, question mark not installed.
| Question No. 292155 | ||
In a sentence with direct speech: A: "P?" - according to your diagrams, why is there no dot after the closing quotation mark? Wouldn't it be more correct: A: "P?" - question mark is placed at the end of direct speech, and the period after the quotation marks is like a period at the end of the entire sentence.
Russian help desk response
No, a period is not needed. A period is not placed after the quotation marks if the closing quotation marks are preceded by an ellipsis, a question mark, or an exclamation mark, and the quotation (or direct speech) enclosed in quotation marks is an independent sentence.
| Question No. 291940 | ||
Hello! Please explain this question. Can I use question mark at the end of the question sentence, if further in the text the author answers the question posed.
Russian help desk response
If a sentence contains a question, then it is possible and necessary.
| Question No. 290564 | ||
Should I put question mark in the sentence “Olga was there, where would we be without her”?
Russian help desk response
Question mark may or may not be placed depending on intonation. The author of the text makes the decision.
Anyone who is familiar with Old Russian writings knows that they were created in a continuous “letter” of words without intervals, especially since there were no punctuation marks in them. Only towards the end of the 15th century did a period appear in the texts, at the beginning of the next century a comma joined it, and even later a question mark was “written” on the pages of manuscripts. It is noteworthy that until this moment, its role was played by the semicolon for some time. Following the interrogative, he was not slow to appear and
The symbol comes from the Latin word quaestio, which translates as “search for an answer.” To depict the sign, the letters q and o were used, which were first depicted on the letter, one above the other. Over time, the graphic appearance of the sign took on the appearance of an elegant curl with a dot at the bottom.
What does a question mark mean?
Russian linguist Fyodor Buslaev argued that punctuation (the science of) has two tasks - to help a person express his thoughts clearly, separating sentences, as well as its parts from each other, and to express emotions. The question mark serves these purposes, among others.
Of course, the very first thing this symbol means is a question. In it is expressed by the corresponding intonation, which is called interrogative. Another question mark can mean bewilderment or doubt. Sentences with sometimes express which is called a rhetorical question. It is asked not for the purpose of asking, but in order to express admiration, indignation and similar strong feelings, as well as to encourage the listener, reader to comprehend a particular event. The answer to the rhetorical question is given by the author himself. In company with exclamation mark The interrogative conveys the meaning of extreme surprise.
Where to put it if you need to express a question
Where in Russian sentences do they put a question mark? The symbol is usually located at the end of the sentence, but not only. Let's consider each case in more detail.
- A question mark is found at the end of a simple sentence expressing a question. ( For example: What are you looking for here? Why does water turn into ice?)
- A question mark is placed inside an interrogative sentence when listing homogeneous members. ( For example: What should I cook for you - soup? roast? turkey?)
- In complex sentences, this sign is placed at the end even if all its parts contain a question, even if only the last part of the sentence contains it. ( For example: 1. How long should I wait for the call, or will my turn come soon? 2. He laughed sincerely, and who would remain indifferent to such a joke?)
- The question mark is placed at the end:
1. When the question contains both a main clause and a subordinate clause. ( For example: Do you know what surprises happen on hikes?)
2. When it is contained only in the main clause. ( For example: Don’t we really want there to be peace?)
3. If the question is contained in subordinate clause. (For example: Various bold thoughts overwhelmed his inflamed mind, although could this at least help his sister in any way?) - In a non-union sentence, a question mark is placed at the end:
1. If the question contains all its parts. ( For example: Where should I go, where should I seek shelter, who will extend a friendly hand to me?)
2. If the question contains only the last part of it. ( For example: Be honest with me: how long do I have left to live?)
Where to put a question mark if you need to express doubt
When indicating doubt, suspicion, reflection, a question mark is placed in the middle of the sentence and enclosed in brackets: Some people in robes, prisoners or workers(?) came and sat around the fire.
When you don't have to put a question mark
In a complex sentence in which the subordinate clause sounds like a question mark, it is not used. ( For example: I didn’t tell him why I hadn’t read this book.) However, if the interrogative intonation is too strong, then the sentence with an indirect question can be crowned with this sign. ( Example: I can’t figure out how to solve this problem? They persistently asked how I became a millionaire?)
Figurative meaning
Sometimes the question symbol is mentioned in speech for an allegorical purpose, wanting to express something mysterious, incomprehensible, hidden. In this case, the phrase “question mark” sounds like a metaphor. ( For example: Those events forever remained for me an unresolved mystery, a question mark, some kind of vivid but confusing dream.)
Question mark somersaults
There are languages in which this symbol is turned upside down. For example, in Greek and Old Church Slavonic (used Orthodox Church) in languages it is written with a hook down, a dot up. In Spanish, the sign at the end of a question sentence is complemented by its inverted “twin”. Turned in a curl in the opposite direction, it decorates Arabic texts. The programming language also turned the question mark upside down.
As you know, human speech is emotional. However, written speech is not able to convey the emotionality of spoken language. For emotional enhancement and better perception of textual information, the following punctuation marks are accepted in Russian typography:
« ? » - question mark. Placed at the end of a sentence instead of a period to express a question or doubt.
« ! » - Exclamation point. Placed at the end of a sentence instead of a period to express joy, delight, amazement, etc. In addition, the exclamation mark is used when addressing someone (“Comrades!”, “Gentlemen!”), as well as to indicate an imperative mood or giving a command (“Stop!”, “Danger!”).
« !!! » - It is allowed to use instead of an exclamation mark to indicate highest degree emotionality of the relationship.
« ?! » - exclamation question. Placed at the end of a sentence instead of a period to express a question, when the question must be emphasized emotionally.
« !.. » - exclamation mark-ellipsis. Unlike the ellipsis punctuation mark, only two dots are placed after the exclamation mark, not three.
« (!) » - . An unorthographic punctuation mark that is widely used in print. A common use is to draw attention to the absurdity of a quote or statement. In professional printing, on the contrary, it is used to draw attention to particularly important points in the text. Used within a sentence, immediately after the text to which it relates. NOT the end of a sentence.
« (?) “- unfortunately, I don’t know the name of this sign. Also, an unorthographic sign used during reviewing to express bewilderment or disagreement with the stated thought, idea, quote.
Please note: typical mistakes Using question and exclamation marks:
1. Before the signs " ? », « ! », « ?! », « !!! », « !.. " there is never a space. Recording “Hello!!! How are you?" - incorrect, correct writing: “Hello!!! How are you?"
2. After the signs " ? », « ! », « ?! », « !!! », « !.. " is always followed by a space. There are objective reasons that prevent us from putting a space, for example, limiting the number of characters (SMS, Twitter). But there is no such restriction in blogs and diaries, so be literate.
3. Signs " (!) " And " (?) " are not punctuation marks; they are subject to the rules as if they were a sentence word. They are always preceded by a space. If satirical exclamation point ends a phrase, followed by a punctuation mark.
4. The following spelling options for combinations of exclamation and question marks are not available in Russian and only emphasize the author’s illiteracy:
« ??
», « !?
», « !!
», « ?!?!
“, - I think there are other options, which make no sense to list.
When is a question mark used?
A question mark is placed in two cases: 1) When a specific question is posed, or thoughtfulness is expressed. For example: What date is today? 2) When surprise is expressed or a rhetorical question is asked, a question mark is used with an exclamation mark. For example: You?!
A question mark is a punctuation mark, which, as a rule, is placed in sentences that are interrogative for the purpose of the statement, i.e. in sentences containing a question. In addition, this sign is also used in rhetorical questions, i.e. questions that do not require a mandatory answer. And here the function of the question mark is rather to draw attention to the problem raised by the author.
A question mark is placed after a direct question, including after incomplete interrogative sentences following one after another, for example:
Who is this? Was he the commander-in-chief himself? (L. Tolstoy).
Will I fall, pierced by an arrow, or will it fly by? (Pushkin).
Who are you? Alive? Dead? (A. Blok).
Note. IN interrogative sentences With homogeneous members A question mark can be placed after each homogeneous member in order to divide the question, for example:
What do I care about anyone? before them? to the whole universe? (Griboyedov).
A question mark in brackets is placed to express doubt or bewilderment of the writer, most often within the quoted text.
A question mark is placed in interrogative sentences when there are interrogative pronouns that appear at the beginning of the sentence: who, what, how much, why, why, how, when, or the interrogative particle whether. Sometimes a question mark is placed in a sentence if the question follows from the context, usually this happens when conveying direct speech. For example: A stranger asked: Is your dad at home? a verb before direct speech indicates that the phrase contains a question and therefore requires a question mark.
A question mark is placed in simple sentences with a questioning intonation, usually containing interrogative pronoun or interrogative pronominal adverb.
Where does the sun live?
Who will tell the baby a bedtime story?
What is the nightingale singing about?
A question mark is also placed in non-union sentences if a direct question is asked.
Let us ask ourselves the question: is evil growing or not growing on Earth?
I don't understand: why are you interested in describing a hurricane?
He walked home and thought: why is grandfather sick?
Rhetorical questions that attract the attention of listeners to the problem posed and do not require an answer are also formalized with a question mark.
What is beauty?
What does a scientist leave behind?
First of all, it is worth noting that the question mark is one of the punctuation marks. But it’s not difficult to determine when to put a question mark. It is necessary to put a question mark in those sentences in which some kind of question is implied and, accordingly, an interrogative intonation. For example, what is your name?
We put a sign at the end of the sentence.
If we ask a question, then writing There should be a question mark at the end of the sentence. IN oral speech Such phrases have a questioning intonation.
In addition, question words may appear at the beginning of a sentence, such as who, what, which, how many, with whom, etc.
In other cases, there is no question word, but the interrogative intonation remains. In addition, such questions (without a question word) can be answered affirmatively (yes) or negatively (no).
A question mark is a punctuation mark that is not used in all sentences containing a question. Question it should be direct:
In sentences with homogeneous members, a question mark can be placed after each of them, because in oral speech we can make a special pause and raise our voice after each of such homogeneous members. Read more about this here.
IN indirect issues There is no question mark.
This is not just a made-up rule designed to make our lives even more difficult. It is due to the difference in intonation in sentences with an indirect question. In fact, it is no different from the intonation of affirmative sentences, and this must be taken into account.
Regarding all punctuation rules,
The answers are wonderful.
But there are situations in life,
when questions creep into dreams.
When you try to find the answer painfully,
all concentrated in search,
then the question grins meaningfully,
and there is no answer... just an ellipsis...
The one who came up with this interrogative question
a much needed, but also very complex sign,
I didn't think he was so tiring
when the answer cannot be found.
A question mark is used when a question is asked. Regardless of whether this is a rhetorical question (not requiring an answer) or not. For example: What are you doing?; How are you?. Well, rhetorical: Is it really starting to rain? etc
A question mark is one of the basic punctuation marks, which is almost always placed at the end of a sentence. A question mark can appear in the middle of a sentence and be enclosed in parentheses in cases where this punctuation mark indicates doubt - We met a neighbor from the fifth or sixth (?) floor.
In writing, a question mark can sometimes be combined with an exclamation mark or an ellipsis to add a more emotional tone to a sentence.