Question
Updated on
7 Dec 2021
- Japanese
-
English (US)
-
English (UK)
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between If I want to say "A", what should I say? and What if I want to say, "A?" ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between If I want to say "A", what should I say? and What if I want to say, "A?" ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
Are both of these phrases same meaning?
By the way, regarding the position of the "?", which is correct?
1. What if I want to say, "A?"
2. What if I want to say, "A"?
By the way, regarding the position of the "?", which is correct?
1. What if I want to say, "A?"
2. What if I want to say, "A"?
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- English (US)
The meaning of the second question is ambiguous. It could have the same meaning as the first, or it could have a different meaning.
For example, the second question could imply:
* "What will happen if I say A?"
* "Is it good/bad if I want to say A?"
As for the punctuation rules, it depends on the country. In America you should write the question mark inside of the quotation marks. But, I think you write the question mark outside the quotation marks in Britain.
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- English (US)
- English (UK)
@egoist_E the position of the question mark should be outside (America and British English), because it is not a part of the quote, but is a part of your surrounding question: What if I want to say, "A"?
If you are quoting a question, then the question mark goes inside the quote: She asked, "Who did it?"
Commas and periods (full stops) always go inside the quotation mark though.
A guide: https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/quotation-m...
Otherwise I agree with @WataruFord regarding your two sentences.
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- Japanese
@WataruFord
I see. Thank you so much for the clarification. ^^
In American English, could it be that I would have should also put the comma inside of the quotation marks?
As in
If I want to say "A," what should I say?
I see. Thank you so much for the clarification. ^^
In American English, could it be that I would have should also put the comma inside of the quotation marks?
As in
If I want to say "A," what should I say?
- English (US)
@egoist_E I think you should follow whatever21's advice on punctuation. Forget what I said.
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- Japanese
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