How to Punctuate Questions

In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about how to punctuate direct and indirect questions. This is an important lesson to learn so that your English writing is always grammatically correct, clear, and easy to understand. Direct questions are always punctuated with question marks. However, some indirect questions may end with periods. You’ll learn how to determine the difference in this lesson. We’ll also have a quiz to practice your knowledge!

Understanding Direct and Indirect Questions:

Direct questions are those that we ask directly, seeking specific answers. On the other hand, indirect questions are embedded within a sentence or statement, often resembling statements more than questions. To correctly punctuate these types of questions, it’s important to understand the differences between them.

Direct Questions:

Direct questions always end with a question mark. They seek specific direct answers. They often begin with a question word like what, when, where, why, which, and how.

Examples:

• What’s your name?
• How is it going?
• Do you like coffee?
• Are you hungry?
• Have you been to Spain?

Indirect Questions:

Indirect questions may end with a question mark or a period. They are polite ways of asking direct questions. Some indirect questions are like questions within a question. Indirect questions that appear more as statements or expressing curiosity end in periods. Indirect questions that are similar to polite requests end in question marks.

Examples:

• I wonder if Bob is home. (period)
• Let me know if you’re free. (period)
• Could you tell me where the police station is? (question mark)
• Do you know if Kyle is invited? (question mark)

Now let’s do a quiz. How should you punctuate the following sentences? If you want to challenge yourself even more, you can try to determine if they are indirect questions or direct questions. There are 20 questions in total. Let’s begin.

Punctuating Questions Quiz:

1. Do you know Sarah
2. Do you know if Beth got the promotion
3. I wonder if it’s going to rain tomorrow
4. Should we take a taxi to the restaurant
5. Could you tell me where to find Mr. Johnson’s office
6. Did you used to play hopscotch as a kid
7. Let me know if tomorrow is a good time to meet for you
8. Will you come to Taylor’s wedding with me
9. Would you like a cup of tea
10. Would you mind telling me when the shop opens tomorrow morning
11. Dad wondered where you were
12. My colleagues wanted to know if I could help them
13. Do you know if it’s going to be sunny tomorrow
14. What time does your brother get home
15. Do you have any idea how long this meeting will last
16. I’m interested in finding out if you have any recommendations for a good book to read
17. I’m not sure whether it’s possible to reschedule my appointment
18. She’s curious about whether they have any job openings at the moment
19. When’s your birthday
20. Do you mind if I ask how old you are

You can find the answers of how to punctuate these questions correctly by watching my English lesson on YouTube embedded above! How many did you get correct out of 20? Were you able to determine if these were direct questions or indirect questions?