The interrogation mark (?) is used—
To indicate the end of a sentence that asks a question; as,
When did you order the goods?
The exclamation mark (!) is used—
To indicate the end of a sentence or other expression that shows strong feeling; as,
Such demands are inhuman!
Frequently, all that shows exactly how the writer wished his thought to be understood is the punctuation. The same words may express different ideas according to the mark of punctuation that follows them. Read the following to show the meaning that the writer wished to convey by each. Explain the circumstances under which each might have been spoken.
1. The price is too high.
2. The price is too high!
3. The price is too high?
4. The crop will not be good. There'll be no corn.
5. Corn! There'll be no corn!
6. You didn't tell him that.
7. You didn't tell him that!
8. You didn't tell him that?
9. You are enjoying yourself.
10. You are enjoying yourself?
11. You are enjoying yourself!
Exercise 169—Quotation Marks (" ")
1. When a speaker's words are quoted exactly, they should be enclosed in quotation marks. This is called a direct quotation.