DU Grammar Whores: A question - Democratic Underground

Writer

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:45 PM
Original message

DU Grammar Whores: A question

If I were writing a subjunctive statement, would I have to use a question mark?

i.e.:

I wonder if GoPsUx is PM'ing pictures of his butt.

or

I wonder if GoPsUx is PM'ing pictures of his butt?

Which is grammatically correct?
(My apologies to the sweet, kind GoPsUx.)

~Writer~

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redqueen

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:46 PM
Response to Original message

1. Just a guess, but I think you use a period.

I wonder if so and so does such and such.

but

I wonder... does so and so do such and such?

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Guava Jelly

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:47 PM
Response to Original message

2. ..

:popcorn:
Lern me up sister..
Hell I have the grammar skills of a 6 year old..

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Writer

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:48 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. But you write some damn fine poetry.

;)

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Guava Jelly

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:52 PM
Response to Reply #4

6. What can I say

The starving gluttons of chapstick just sort of caress my dunselesq mind..

On an unscheduled drill at Alpha Carinae 2, M5 defends the Enterprise against attacks from the starships Excalibur and Lexington, the latter which is commanded by Wesley. The M5 is declared the victor of the simulated contest, prompting Commodore Bob Wesley to call Kirk "Captain Dunsel." Spock explains the meaning of "dunsel" to McCoy as a term used by midshipmen at the Federation Academy for a part which serves no useful purpose.

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no name no slogan

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:48 PM
Response to Original message

3. I prefer Grammar Lady of the Evening, but...

I would use the question mark, since you're asking a question

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Sugar Smack

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:48 PM
Response to Original message

5. "I wonder if GoPsUx is PMming pictures of his butt."

Edited on Wed Dec-19-07 06:49 PM by Sugar Smack

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Inchworm

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:52 PM
Response to Original message

7. I'd go with the period

You aren't asking a question. You are pondering on GoPsUx's butt sending potential.

:hi:

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Redstone

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Wed Dec-19-07 06:58 PM
Response to Original message

8. If a first-person narrative, a period. For example:

As I drink my second cup of coffee, I wonder if GoPsUx is PM'ing pictures of his butt.

Otherwise, a question mark.

Redstone

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DS1

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:00 PM
Response to Original message

9. Period.

As in, "Yes."

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bridgit

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:01 PM
Response to Original message

10. rhetorical questions require no '?'

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Rabrrrrrr

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:05 PM
Response to Original message

11. Pfft. With GoPsUx, you only need wonder *how many* pics he's PM'ing, not whether.

:eyes:

As to your question, the sentence ends with a period - you are making a declarative statement: "I wonder". You are not asking a question. What you are wondering is a question, yes; but the sentence itself is not a question.

If you wish to get fancy, you could write: I wonder, "Is GoPsUx PM'ing pictures of his butt?"

But no matter what, you'll need to clean out your inbox.

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Guava Jelly

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:05 PM
Response to Original message

12. Disclaimer

Edited on Wed Dec-19-07 07:05 PM by GoPsUx

I gave up PM'ing my butt for lent..(Seriously..Lent is all i could get for it)
The Native Americans got a better deal than I did.. (I kid)
:sarcasm:

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Tuesday Afternoon

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:06 PM
Response to Original message

13. I do not know. However, if I want an answer then I use a question

mark. That doesn't mean I always get an answer.

When I am writing, basically I am talking out loud (as if the person is in the room with me)

IF while talking out loud (in my head) I hear my voice rise, then I use a question mark.
IF my voice does not rise, then I think I have made a statement and I use a period.

Yeah, I know. I suck at grammar and I don't talk so well either :D

Do I get points for trying?

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Mike03

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:17 PM
Response to Original message

14. My opinion as a writer is that the first version is correct.

Edited on Wed Dec-19-07 07:18 PM by Mike03

It always irritates the hell out of me when statements of fact are followed by question marks.

It is a statement of fact that you "wonder." You are not asking the reader anything.

But if I'm wrong, I would be pleased to be corrected.

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some guy

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:23 PM
Response to Original message

15. I'll give you an answer

Edited on Wed Dec-19-07 07:23 PM by some guy

for $100.

:)

Because grammar whores don't do it for free, baby. :P

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rug

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:30 PM
Response to Original message

16. If an indirect question, would it be necessary?

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/question.htm

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MorningGlow

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:42 PM
Response to Original message

17. No question mark

So sayeth a former proofreader, current part-time editor.

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hippywife

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Wed Dec-19-07 07:59 PM
Response to Original message

18. I agree with the period.

You aren't asking a direct question but making a statement.

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reyd reid reed

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Wed Dec-19-07 10:42 PM
Response to Original message

19. That'd be 'grammar slut', thankyouverymuch...

and you use a period in that particular instance.

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UTUSN

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Wed Dec-19-07 10:46 PM
Response to Original message

20. The question mark is NOT your problem. It's "WHETHER"!1

as in,

"I wonder WHETHER GoPsux is PM'ing pictures of his butt."

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