Question marks and exclamation points

Special replacements for the period

When asking a direct question, use a question mark instead of a period.

When exclaiming, use an exclamation point instead of a period.  Exclaiming is shouting.  It's better not to use an exclamation point for excitement or emphasis unless you would actually shout that sentence.  Try italics, underlining, or boldface for emphasis.

More than one question mark may indicate extreme confusion or more than one exclamation point extreme shouting.  However, you never put more than one period to really end a sentence, so multiple question marks or exclamation points aren't necessary or useful.

The only complication is quoting.  The question mark or exclamation point goes with the part of the sentence that asks or exclaims.

Examples:
  • Did he say, "Yes"?
  • No, he said, "Who is it?"
  • Why did he say, "Who is it?"? 

  • (Try to avoid writing anything like this question.)
  • They call me "Mr. Tibbs"!
  • The pilot radioed, "Mayday!"
  • Stop yelling, "Hey!"!

  • (Try to avoid this too.)
 

 
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