She asked if I had change for a pound.However, if the actual question she asked is used, a question
markisrequired.
‘Do you have change for a pound?’ she asked.Notice that the question mark goesinsidethe inverted com-
mas. There will be more about dialogue in Chapter 7.
Single words that ask a question are also followed by a
question mark.
How? Why? When? Where? Who? What?Avoiding the exclamation mark
Like the dash, theexclamation markshould be used rarely if
it is not to lose its effect. Donotuse it for emphasis. Your
choice of words should convey this. If a speaker exclaims, an
exclamation mark should be used after the words.
‘Don’t touch me!’ she exclaimed.The word ‘exclaimed’ does not have to be used. It can be
suggested, as in the following sentence:
‘They’ve won!’ she shouted.An exclamation mark can also be used to indicate an
element of irony. The speaker or writer is commenting with
‘tongue in cheek’.
94 / IMPROVE YOUR PUNCTUATION & GRAMMAR