When it comes to punctuation, we often take the humble question for granted. Yet, the question mark can be used in a variety of ways other than just ending a direct question. Is that true? Really? Of course!

One use is the ending of sentences containing no verbs. For some grammar purists, sentences without verbs are not correct, proper sentences. However, this type of sentence is used quite often, for example as in:

What? Why? When? Where? Who? Really? How?

Question marks can also be used at the end of tag sentences. A tag sentence is simply a statement that is followed by a question:

She missed the meeting, didn't she? He's bought a new car, hasn't he? We need four tickets instead of six, right? You've been to Paris before, yes?

Sometimes, there is a need for a sentence that contains a series of questions and you need to add a question mark after each one. It is best to proceed with caution when writing this type of sentence as a long series of questions might prove confusing or tedious for the reader:

How do we get to the cinema? By bus? By bike? By train? On foot? In a taxi?

Who last fed the cat? You? Dad? Mum? Mary? Toby? The neighbour?

There are two examples where this particular punctuation mark should not be used - at the end of indirect questions or courteous (polite) requests. These types of sentences may appear to be questions, but they do not need question marks. Let us look at some examples:

I asked my assistant whether there is an afternoon meeting. I asked my colleague if any letters had arrived. Would you please reply to my email as soon as you can. Would you please close the door after you.

As you can see, it is not wise to underestimate the question mark or assume its use is very straightforward all the time. The last examples would certainly make you think twice about whether or not it is needed.

Those of you who use Microsoft Word, for example, may find that your grammar-checking programme flags up those sentences in green and suggests a question mark is used. This is where a lot of confusion can arise. Rest assured that in those last two examples, you do not need to use a question mark as these are polite statements rather than direct questions. Sometimes, grammar and spell-checking programmes can offer misleading advice and suggestions!

KJ Hutchings is the owner of KJ Language Services, providing proofreading, editing and writing services to businesses and students, in particular those who use English as a second language. For more information about how you can make your English documents the very best they can be, visit her site at: http://www.kjlanguageservices.com/