Two questions, one mark
When you are not sure which mark to use, ask two questions in this order.
- Does the sentence want an answer? If yes, use a question mark and stop.
- Does it show strong feeling? If yes, use an exclamation point.
If both answers are no, use a period. That is where most sentences end up.
Watch it work
| Sentence | Wants an answer? | Strong feeling? | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| The pond froze last night | no | no | period |
| Can we walk on it | yes | – | question mark |
| The ice is cracking | no | yes | exclamation point |
| My boots are by the door | no | no | period |
Notice the second row. Once the answer to the first question is yes, you never get to the second one. A question that also feels exciting still takes a question mark.
The same words, three ways
Here are the same three words doing all three jobs.
“You are ready.” tells somebody they are ready.
“Are you ready?” asks whether they are.
“You are ready!” shows you are excited or surprised about it.
The words hardly changed. The reader knows which one you meant only because of the mark.
A mistake to watch for
A sentence can sound exciting and still be a plain telling sentence. Feeling is about what the writer means, not about the topic.
“We have a field trip on Friday.” is a fact, even if you are looking forward to it. If you want the reader to hear your excitement, then the mark changes. If you are just telling them the plan, it does not.
Your turn
Add the mark that fits.
- “Do you want to trade snacks”
- “My sandwich fell in the mud”
- “The bell rings at three”
Check your answers
- “Do you want to trade snacks?”
- “My sandwich fell in the mud!”
- “The bell rings at three.”
Remember
- Ask about an answer first, then about strong feeling.
- Neither one means a period.
- The mark is how the reader knows what you meant.