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pbmn
04-03-2008, 09:26 PM
*I've never asked nor answered a question based on grammar before, so I'm not entirely certain on where to put this thread. If it's in the wrong section, please move it.*

I was wondering what the punctuation was in a sentence like: "What are you thinking about(?)" asked Amy. Do I put a comma there like in any other dialogue sentence, or do I add a question mark without a comma, or both (pretty sure it's not the last, but you never know...)

I never learned this in school before, or at least don't remember, so can someone please help me? Thanks.

Shalot
04-03-2008, 09:36 PM
I think you put it inside the quotation marks. If the question is part of the quotation, then the question mark goes inside the quotation marks. I do have a book on this upstairs, but I don't want to go get it. But I think that's right. What does everyone else think?

Oniw17
04-03-2008, 10:25 PM
Question mark works by itself I think. That's what I would do.

Lady Raven
04-04-2008, 11:44 PM
Question mark only. No need for comma.

PeterL
04-05-2008, 09:44 AM
"What are you thinking about?" asked Amy.

There are several style guides online, including
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/research/StyleGuide/?CFID=1489356&CFTOKEN=61778300

and
The Elements of Style
http://www.bartleby.com/141/