The question mark

Question mark for direct questions

A direct question should be followed by a question mark.

Example sentence: What is the source of the author's allegory?

Example sentence: Antonio asked, “When will the movie end?”

Question mark for questions in a series

Questions in a series may be followed by question marks even when they are not complete sentences.

Example sentence: We wondered where Calamity had hidden this time. Under the sink? Behind the furnace? On top of the bookcase?

No question mark with polite questions

If a polite request is written in the form of a question, it may be followed by a period.

Example sentence: Would you please send me your catalog of files.

No question mark with indirect questions

Do not use a question mark after an indirect question, one that is reported rather than asked directly. Use a period instead.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: He asked me who was teaching the mythology course? Revised sentence: He asked me who was teaching the mythology course.

Exercise: Other punctuation marks

Related topics:

Question marks with quotation marks

Indirect questions