Question mark or no question mark?

NeverEndingStory · Jul 30, 2008

My sentence reads:

McDonald’s and Chuck E. Cheese are tempting, but why not head for the great outdoors.

When using this type of sentence, does it require a question mark, or is more of a suggestive statement?

sassandgroove · Jul 30, 2008

Depends on if you are asking a question or making a statement, I would say. I would think, though, that a statement would read more like:

McDonald's and ChuckECHeese are tempting, but heading for the great outdoors is better.

Something like that. Just my opinion, though.

DeleyanLee · Jul 30, 2008

NeverEndingStory said:
My sentence reads:

McDonald’s and Chuck E. Cheese are tempting, but why not head for the great outdoors.

When using this type of sentence, does it require a question mark, or is more of a suggestive statement?

As phrased, it reads more as a question than a suggestion.

Sandi LeFaucheur · Jul 30, 2008

I'd put a question mark.

scully931 · Jul 30, 2008

I'm not going to suggest a re-write because you might want it exactly the way you have it. haha... can you tell I just went through this myself? :tongue

I'd put a question mark. Even with it, I think it reads like a rhetorical question.

Judg · Jul 30, 2008

It is a rhetorical question. The word order is that of a question, not a statement. It needs a question mark. Period.

Quossum · Jul 30, 2008

It needs a question mark. The words "Why not" make it so.

--Q

kct webber · Jul 31, 2008

smoothseas · Jul 31, 2008

??????????????????????????????????????????????????? mark....

NeverEndingStory · Jul 31, 2008

Thanks all, that's the direction I was crossing my fingers for! Funny how sometimes we just don't trust our initial gut feeling. I had a question mark, then changed it to a period, then posted it here. It makes PERFECT sense now.

Question mark or no question mark?

NeverEndingStory

sassandgroove

Sassy haircut

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

Sandi LeFaucheur

scully931

So you're suggesting what? Bigfoot?

Judg

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Quossum

kct webber

Squirrel, Sekrit type, 1 ea.

smoothseas

Life sucks... Then ya die...

NeverEndingStory