Do you put a comma after a question mark? This is a common question that often confuses many people, especially those who are new to English grammar. The confusion arises because question marks are used to indicate the end of a question, and commas are used to separate clauses or ideas within a sentence. However, the rules for using commas with question marks can be a bit tricky and may vary depending on the context.
In general, when a question mark is used at the end of a sentence, it should not be followed by a comma. This is because the question mark itself acts as a punctuation mark that signifies the end of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “What time is it?”, there is no need for a comma after the question mark.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the question is part of a larger sentence that contains a dependent clause, then a comma is necessary before the question mark. For instance, in the sentence “I wonder, what time is it?”, the comma is required to separate the dependent clause “I wonder” from the main question “what time is it?”. This comma helps to clarify the structure of the sentence and indicates that “I wonder” is a separate thought from the main question.
Another exception occurs when the question is part of a direct quote. In this case, a comma is typically placed after the closing quotation mark before the question mark. For example, if someone asks, “Do you put a comma after a question mark?” and you quote them, you would write, “He asked, ‘Do you put a comma after a question mark?'” Here, the comma is used to set off the direct quote from the rest of the sentence.
It’s important to note that these rules may vary slightly depending on the style guide you are following. For example, the Chicago Manual of Style suggests using a comma before a question mark when it is part of a larger sentence with a dependent clause, while the APA Style recommends not using a comma before a question mark in such cases.
In conclusion, while the general rule is that you do not put a comma after a question mark, there are exceptions that you should be aware of. By understanding these exceptions and following the appropriate style guide, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and clear.
