PSA: "I guess", "I wonder", and "Name..." are not questions

NiteWulf

Golden Member
Jan 3, 2003
1,112
1
0
"I guess it's some sort of mold."
"I wonder if we should go back to the party."
"Name three ways she could reduce the sharpness of her knees."

This has been Grammar Time. Thank you for tuning in
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
"I wonder if we should go back to the party?" can, indeed, be phrased as a question.
 

imported_Tick

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
4,682
1
0
Has it occured to you that people use question marks in those instances to imply a questioning tone, not otherwise conveyable to the reader?
 

NiteWulf

Golden Member
Jan 3, 2003
1,112
1
0
Originally posted by: Tick
Has it occured to you that people use question marks in those instances to imply a questioning tone, not otherwise conveyable to the reader?
Yes, it has. It's fine to use one in dialogue for that reason. "I wonder..." is open to answer, but it's not a question. "I guess..." is a statement which through popular use has become more of a questioning statement than a declarative, but it is still a statement. I really don't see any reason to put a question mark at the end of "Name..."
 

scootermaster

Platinum Member
Nov 29, 2005
2,411
0
0
Originally posted by: NiteWulf
Originally posted by: Tick
Has it occured to you that people use question marks in those instances to imply a questioning tone, not otherwise conveyable to the reader?
Yes, it has. It's fine to use one in dialogue for that reason. "I wonder..." is open to answer, but it's not a question. "I guess..." is a statement which through popular use has become more of a questioning statement than a declarative, but it is still a statement. I really don't see any reason to put a question mark at the end of "Name..."

Jeebus...with a mullet?
 

T9D

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2001
5,320
6
0
By putting a question mark at the end it is in fact a question. In the sense that the person making the remark is uncertain and/or is soliciting the listeners input. Serves a dual pupose. It may not be "proper" but the point of language is to convey a thought and communicate something. And that purpose was served well in these instances.
 

biggestmuff

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2001
8,201
2
0
Originally posted by: NiteWulf
"I guess it's some sort of mold."
"I wonder if we should go back to the party."
"Name three ways she could reduce the sharpness of her knees."

This has been Grammar Time. Thank you for tuning in

Oops! You missed a period. If you are going to bust balls about writing, then you should do it with impeccable writing skills. ;)
 

KingofCamelot

Golden Member
Aug 20, 2004
1,074
0
0
Originally posted by: jagec
"I wonder if we should go back to the party?" can, indeed, be phrased as a question.

"I guess" can also be used as a question.

"I guess you know where we're going?"
 

hdeck

Lifer
Sep 26, 2002
14,530
1
0
you can't convey that tone through text, thus question marks are acceptable.