What does a question mark inside parentheses (?) mean?
If a sentence/word has (?) at the end, does it mean the sentence is not a fact and the author is not sure about it?
As in the example:
I am the tallest(?) in our class.
Which means I am not sure whether I am tallest in the class.
Is it correct?
meaning question-mark
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
add a comment |
If a sentence/word has (?) at the end, does it mean the sentence is not a fact and the author is not sure about it?
As in the example:
I am the tallest(?) in our class.
Which means I am not sure whether I am tallest in the class.
Is it correct?
meaning question-mark
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
4
It's very informal writing.
– Mitch
Dec 23 '18 at 19:03
It can also mean you are unsure about the spelling/word.
– eckes
Dec 24 '18 at 5:52
Somewhat close to[citation needed]:)
– val
Dec 24 '18 at 10:43
add a comment |
If a sentence/word has (?) at the end, does it mean the sentence is not a fact and the author is not sure about it?
As in the example:
I am the tallest(?) in our class.
Which means I am not sure whether I am tallest in the class.
Is it correct?
meaning question-mark
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
If a sentence/word has (?) at the end, does it mean the sentence is not a fact and the author is not sure about it?
As in the example:
I am the tallest(?) in our class.
Which means I am not sure whether I am tallest in the class.
Is it correct?
meaning question-mark
meaning question-mark
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
asked Dec 23 '18 at 17:41
Yogith
715
715
4
It's very informal writing.
– Mitch
Dec 23 '18 at 19:03
It can also mean you are unsure about the spelling/word.
– eckes
Dec 24 '18 at 5:52
Somewhat close to[citation needed]:)
– val
Dec 24 '18 at 10:43
add a comment |
4
It's very informal writing.
– Mitch
Dec 23 '18 at 19:03
It can also mean you are unsure about the spelling/word.
– eckes
Dec 24 '18 at 5:52
Somewhat close to[citation needed]:)
– val
Dec 24 '18 at 10:43
4
4
It's very informal writing.
– Mitch
Dec 23 '18 at 19:03
It's very informal writing.
– Mitch
Dec 23 '18 at 19:03
It can also mean you are unsure about the spelling/word.
– eckes
Dec 24 '18 at 5:52
It can also mean you are unsure about the spelling/word.
– eckes
Dec 24 '18 at 5:52
Somewhat close to
[citation needed] :)– val
Dec 24 '18 at 10:43
Somewhat close to
[citation needed] :)– val
Dec 24 '18 at 10:43
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
(?) is simply a passing note of incertitude at the preceding word (sometimes phrase).
I am the tallest(?) in our class
Here this usage indicates that the author is not sure if he/she is really the tallest one.
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
9
It might also mean that the author isn't sure whether it is the right word.
– Lebbers
Dec 23 '18 at 20:25
@Lebbers I think that is also covered byincertitude at the preceding word.
– user51497
Dec 23 '18 at 21:27
3
Similar to(sp?), which means the author isn't sure if the spelling of the last word or phrase is correct. E.g. "I met a guy named Asrael (sp?) ..."
– wjandrea
Dec 23 '18 at 21:31
1
@wjandrea In my experience, it refers to uncertainty of truthiness far more often than uncertainty of spelling
– person27
Dec 24 '18 at 2:36
@person27 What do you mean?
– wjandrea
Dec 24 '18 at 14:09
|
show 2 more comments
I haven't seen the use of "(?)" in any book or news article for example, I would say it's something used in an informal context. But yes, I'd say it showcases the author's insecurity with respect to the statement
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
3
Hi and welcome. This is more of a comment than an answer. You can quite quickly earn the ability to comment with a few votes on a good question or a good answer. Perhaps take a look at how to answer.
– tmgr
Dec 24 '18 at 0:17
5
@tmgr On all other stackexchange sites, comments are for asking for clarification. Here, too, the placeholder says "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements". A comment is not supposed to be an answer. Caproki, I think you were right in posting your answer as, y'know, an answer.
– Luc
Dec 24 '18 at 13:18
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
(?) is simply a passing note of incertitude at the preceding word (sometimes phrase).
I am the tallest(?) in our class
Here this usage indicates that the author is not sure if he/she is really the tallest one.
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
9
It might also mean that the author isn't sure whether it is the right word.
– Lebbers
Dec 23 '18 at 20:25
@Lebbers I think that is also covered byincertitude at the preceding word.
– user51497
Dec 23 '18 at 21:27
3
Similar to(sp?), which means the author isn't sure if the spelling of the last word or phrase is correct. E.g. "I met a guy named Asrael (sp?) ..."
– wjandrea
Dec 23 '18 at 21:31
1
@wjandrea In my experience, it refers to uncertainty of truthiness far more often than uncertainty of spelling
– person27
Dec 24 '18 at 2:36
@person27 What do you mean?
– wjandrea
Dec 24 '18 at 14:09
|
show 2 more comments
(?) is simply a passing note of incertitude at the preceding word (sometimes phrase).
I am the tallest(?) in our class
Here this usage indicates that the author is not sure if he/she is really the tallest one.
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
9
It might also mean that the author isn't sure whether it is the right word.
– Lebbers
Dec 23 '18 at 20:25
@Lebbers I think that is also covered byincertitude at the preceding word.
– user51497
Dec 23 '18 at 21:27
3
Similar to(sp?), which means the author isn't sure if the spelling of the last word or phrase is correct. E.g. "I met a guy named Asrael (sp?) ..."
– wjandrea
Dec 23 '18 at 21:31
1
@wjandrea In my experience, it refers to uncertainty of truthiness far more often than uncertainty of spelling
– person27
Dec 24 '18 at 2:36
@person27 What do you mean?
– wjandrea
Dec 24 '18 at 14:09
|
show 2 more comments
(?) is simply a passing note of incertitude at the preceding word (sometimes phrase).
I am the tallest(?) in our class
Here this usage indicates that the author is not sure if he/she is really the tallest one.
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
(?) is simply a passing note of incertitude at the preceding word (sometimes phrase).
I am the tallest(?) in our class
Here this usage indicates that the author is not sure if he/she is really the tallest one.
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
raleigh
3416
3416
9
It might also mean that the author isn't sure whether it is the right word.
– Lebbers
Dec 23 '18 at 20:25
@Lebbers I think that is also covered byincertitude at the preceding word.
– user51497
Dec 23 '18 at 21:27
3
Similar to(sp?), which means the author isn't sure if the spelling of the last word or phrase is correct. E.g. "I met a guy named Asrael (sp?) ..."
– wjandrea
Dec 23 '18 at 21:31
1
@wjandrea In my experience, it refers to uncertainty of truthiness far more often than uncertainty of spelling
– person27
Dec 24 '18 at 2:36
@person27 What do you mean?
– wjandrea
Dec 24 '18 at 14:09
|
show 2 more comments
9
It might also mean that the author isn't sure whether it is the right word.
– Lebbers
Dec 23 '18 at 20:25
@Lebbers I think that is also covered byincertitude at the preceding word.
– user51497
Dec 23 '18 at 21:27
3
Similar to(sp?), which means the author isn't sure if the spelling of the last word or phrase is correct. E.g. "I met a guy named Asrael (sp?) ..."
– wjandrea
Dec 23 '18 at 21:31
1
@wjandrea In my experience, it refers to uncertainty of truthiness far more often than uncertainty of spelling
– person27
Dec 24 '18 at 2:36
@person27 What do you mean?
– wjandrea
Dec 24 '18 at 14:09
9
9
It might also mean that the author isn't sure whether it is the right word.
– Lebbers
Dec 23 '18 at 20:25
It might also mean that the author isn't sure whether it is the right word.
– Lebbers
Dec 23 '18 at 20:25
@Lebbers I think that is also covered by
incertitude at the preceding word.– user51497
Dec 23 '18 at 21:27
@Lebbers I think that is also covered by
incertitude at the preceding word.– user51497
Dec 23 '18 at 21:27
3
3
Similar to
(sp?), which means the author isn't sure if the spelling of the last word or phrase is correct. E.g. "I met a guy named Asrael (sp?) ..."– wjandrea
Dec 23 '18 at 21:31
Similar to
(sp?), which means the author isn't sure if the spelling of the last word or phrase is correct. E.g. "I met a guy named Asrael (sp?) ..."– wjandrea
Dec 23 '18 at 21:31
1
1
@wjandrea In my experience, it refers to uncertainty of truthiness far more often than uncertainty of spelling
– person27
Dec 24 '18 at 2:36
@wjandrea In my experience, it refers to uncertainty of truthiness far more often than uncertainty of spelling
– person27
Dec 24 '18 at 2:36
@person27 What do you mean?
– wjandrea
Dec 24 '18 at 14:09
@person27 What do you mean?
– wjandrea
Dec 24 '18 at 14:09
|
show 2 more comments
I haven't seen the use of "(?)" in any book or news article for example, I would say it's something used in an informal context. But yes, I'd say it showcases the author's insecurity with respect to the statement
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
3
Hi and welcome. This is more of a comment than an answer. You can quite quickly earn the ability to comment with a few votes on a good question or a good answer. Perhaps take a look at how to answer.
– tmgr
Dec 24 '18 at 0:17
5
@tmgr On all other stackexchange sites, comments are for asking for clarification. Here, too, the placeholder says "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements". A comment is not supposed to be an answer. Caproki, I think you were right in posting your answer as, y'know, an answer.
– Luc
Dec 24 '18 at 13:18
add a comment |
I haven't seen the use of "(?)" in any book or news article for example, I would say it's something used in an informal context. But yes, I'd say it showcases the author's insecurity with respect to the statement
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
3
Hi and welcome. This is more of a comment than an answer. You can quite quickly earn the ability to comment with a few votes on a good question or a good answer. Perhaps take a look at how to answer.
– tmgr
Dec 24 '18 at 0:17
5
@tmgr On all other stackexchange sites, comments are for asking for clarification. Here, too, the placeholder says "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements". A comment is not supposed to be an answer. Caproki, I think you were right in posting your answer as, y'know, an answer.
– Luc
Dec 24 '18 at 13:18
add a comment |
I haven't seen the use of "(?)" in any book or news article for example, I would say it's something used in an informal context. But yes, I'd say it showcases the author's insecurity with respect to the statement
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
I haven't seen the use of "(?)" in any book or news article for example, I would say it's something used in an informal context. But yes, I'd say it showcases the author's insecurity with respect to the statement
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
answered Dec 23 '18 at 17:50
caproki
512
512
3
Hi and welcome. This is more of a comment than an answer. You can quite quickly earn the ability to comment with a few votes on a good question or a good answer. Perhaps take a look at how to answer.
– tmgr
Dec 24 '18 at 0:17
5
@tmgr On all other stackexchange sites, comments are for asking for clarification. Here, too, the placeholder says "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements". A comment is not supposed to be an answer. Caproki, I think you were right in posting your answer as, y'know, an answer.
– Luc
Dec 24 '18 at 13:18
add a comment |
3
Hi and welcome. This is more of a comment than an answer. You can quite quickly earn the ability to comment with a few votes on a good question or a good answer. Perhaps take a look at how to answer.
– tmgr
Dec 24 '18 at 0:17
5
@tmgr On all other stackexchange sites, comments are for asking for clarification. Here, too, the placeholder says "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements". A comment is not supposed to be an answer. Caproki, I think you were right in posting your answer as, y'know, an answer.
– Luc
Dec 24 '18 at 13:18
3
3
Hi and welcome. This is more of a comment than an answer. You can quite quickly earn the ability to comment with a few votes on a good question or a good answer. Perhaps take a look at how to answer.
– tmgr
Dec 24 '18 at 0:17
Hi and welcome. This is more of a comment than an answer. You can quite quickly earn the ability to comment with a few votes on a good question or a good answer. Perhaps take a look at how to answer.
– tmgr
Dec 24 '18 at 0:17
5
5
@tmgr On all other stackexchange sites, comments are for asking for clarification. Here, too, the placeholder says "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements". A comment is not supposed to be an answer. Caproki, I think you were right in posting your answer as, y'know, an answer.
– Luc
Dec 24 '18 at 13:18
@tmgr On all other stackexchange sites, comments are for asking for clarification. Here, too, the placeholder says "Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements". A comment is not supposed to be an answer. Caproki, I think you were right in posting your answer as, y'know, an answer.
– Luc
Dec 24 '18 at 13:18
add a comment |
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4
It's very informal writing.
– Mitch
Dec 23 '18 at 19:03
It can also mean you are unsure about the spelling/word.
– eckes
Dec 24 '18 at 5:52
Somewhat close to
[citation needed]:)– val
Dec 24 '18 at 10:43