Buzz
In both Vietnamese and English, question marks are used in direct questions, including in both spoken and written English. To understand the rules for using question marks correctly in English, readers can refer to the following article by Mytour.
Guidelines for Using Question Marks Correctly in English
Here are some examples of using question marks in direct questions to help you visualize better:
- Are you familiar with Mytour?
- Have you downloaded the Mytour app?
Rule 1: Do not use question marks when writing indirect questions.
Example:
- I inquired Mytour's admin for app download instructions. =>CORRECT.
- I sought guidance from Mytour's admin regarding app download. =>WRONG.
Rule 2: Use a question mark at the end of a direct question. However, it's worth noting that adhering to this rule in English sometimes leads users to confuse between indirect and direct questions.
Examples:
- How much affection do you harbor for me?
- What insights do you possess about Mytour's registered company?
Rule 3: Employ a question mark in rhetorical questions, although no answer is anticipated.
Examples:
Are you interested in accompanying us for shopping?
Are you cognizant of your dilemma?
Rule 4: Sometimes, in certain questions or types of texts, concise questions are often preludes to larger questions that need addressing. When combining these questions, ensure that after each question, there is a question mark.
Examples:
Who bears responsibility for the errors on Mytour's website? The programmers? The maintenance department?
Rule 5: If the title accompanied by an underlined question mark, the question mark must also be underlined.
Example:
Have you ever explored Mytour?
Rule 6: If the title accompanied by an italicized question mark, the question mark must also be italicized.
Example: Still using the previous example, just the title is italicized.
Have you ever explored Mytour?
Rule 7: If the title accompanied by a question mark is the end of a sentence, you can use the question mark as the sentence ending punctuation without adding a period.
Example:
Mom, do you know where my cellphone is?
Rule 8: If the end of a sentence in the text is an abbreviation, by default, you must add a period to the abbreviation, then add a question mark, and there should be no space between the period and the question mark.
Example:
What is W.T.O.?
Rule 9: If a question forms a request or conveys instructions, usually in this case we use a period instead of a question mark.
Example:
To download the app on Mytour, you can choose between iOS, Android, and Windows.
In addition to the question mark, commas and ellipses also have their own usage rules, you can refer to the usage of ellipses in English and the usage of commas in English rules here.
Thus, in the above article, Mytour has just provided guidance and introduced to you some rules for using question marks correctly in English. Moreover, if you are not familiar with asking questions about quantity, readers can refer to the content How to ask about quantity in English already available on Mytour.
