Blog
Category_MWW Blog>The Question Mark
Put the Question Mark Where the Question Is First Asked
We need a rule to cover all of the things attorneys do after they ask that basic question. This is the pattern that came up in four different questions on FB.
...Do you know where he is right now?...
Category_MWW Blog>The Comma
A Comma Before the Quote
I am BACK!!
I hope your holidays were glorious. Mine were lovely even though I was really down and out sick with a throat "thing." I think that, after almost three weeks, I am finally getting bett...
Category_MWW Blog>The Question Mark
The Leading Question
When the attorney asks a question and then suggests an answer, put a question mark for
both.
...What time did he arrive? 10:00?
...Who completed the final report? Tom Hindry?
...What color was the...
Category_MWW Blog>The Question Mark
The Word "What"
The word "what" is an interrogative -- asks a question -- pronoun. In the normal word order, it is, of course, "What was it?" When the sentence is turned around, it is just "bad grammar," and it st...
Category_MWW Blog>General
The Word "What"
When someone tacks the word what onto the end of a question, it should stand alone as
its own question.
...Was it given to you as a gift? What?
...Were you there alone? with someone? What?
...Did ...
Category_MWW Blog>The Period
A Period or an Interrog
When there are two parts to a sentence and one is a statement and the other is a question, it is the one at the end that determines the terminal punctuation.
...What he wants to know is where were...
Category_MWW Blog>The Question Mark
Where to Put the Interrog?
The rule says to put a question mark at the end of a sentence that asks a question. In reporting, our questions are not always straightforward. Attorneys add things -- explanations, clarifications,...