Punctuation question

stargurl128 · Nov 4, 2009

Are you allowed to put a question mark and an exclamation mark right next to each other in "proper english"?
ex:
"This is taking too long." Mary whined the second we got in line.
"Long?!" I said.

Vespertilion · Nov 4, 2009

Maybe if you underlined (italicized) the word, instead? I've seen it--especially in comic books--but I don't think it's considered proper. Ah, if only the interrobang had caught on...

blacbird · Nov 4, 2009

I would venture: Never. In your example, the question mark alone is plenty sufficient to convey the meaning and emphasis.

caw

jjacobs · Nov 5, 2009

Though it is often considered poor writing and really isn't necessary, I wouldn't say never use it. There is a variety of rules writers are "supposed" to follow, but most of these rules can and have been broken over the years. With that said, I would only keep it if you're absolutely sold on its use.

warofthesparks · Nov 5, 2009

Dan Brown does this in The Lost Symbol. Didn't take anything away from the story, and look at its position on the NYT Bestseller's List. Do whatever you want, I say.

blacbird · Nov 6, 2009

warofthesparks said:
Do whatever you want, I say.

Yeah. I recommend forty-two consecutive exclamation marks.

caw

Duncan J Macdonald · Nov 6, 2009

blacbird said:
Yeah. I recommend forty-two consecutive exclamation marks.

caw

Hmm, Okay.

"Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Nah. Go for the gusto -- at least 84 of 'em.

"Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Yeah, much better! Got some real emphasis going on there.

warofthesparks · Nov 6, 2009

blacbird said:
Yeah. I recommend forty-two consecutive exclamation marks.

caw

I didn't mean do whatever you want (although, to be fair, that is what I said). I meant that where the "?!" is concerned, it doesn't matter whether you do "?!" or just "?" The surrounding actions should make clear what the speaker's attitude is anyway.

Punctuation question

stargurl128

Stargirl128

Vespertilion

Flying blind on a rocket cycle.

blacbird

jjacobs

warofthesparks

I know what happened to Baby Jane.

blacbird

Duncan J Macdonald

Plotting! Not Plodding!

warofthesparks

I know what happened to Baby Jane.