Question marks and exclamation marks

A sentence ends with a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark. A question mark (⟦?⟧) ends a sentence that asks something. An exclamation mark (⟦!⟧) ends a sentence that shows strong feeling, such as surprise, pain, excitement or a warning.

Key facts

  • Use a question mark when the sentence asks something: ⟦Where do you live?⟧
  • Questions often start with a question word (⟦what⟧, ⟦where⟧, ⟦who⟧, ⟦why⟧, ⟦when⟧, ⟦which⟧, ⟦how⟧) or with a verb such as ⟦is⟧, ⟦can⟧, ⟦do⟧ or ⟦did⟧.
  • Use an exclamation mark for strong feeling or a warning: ⟦Ouch, that hurts!⟧ ⟦Watch out!⟧
  • Use a full stop when the sentence just tells you something: ⟦I have two sisters.⟧
  • Use only one mark at the end, and don't use too many exclamation marks: they lose their power.

Worked examples

Example 1

Which mark ends this sentence? ⟦Did you finish your homework ___⟧

  1. It starts with ⟦Did⟧ and asks something.
  2. So it needs a question mark: ⟦Did you finish your homework?⟧

Answer: ⟦?⟧

Example 2

Which mark ends this sentence? ⟦Help, I'm stuck ___⟧

  1. Someone is in trouble and is calling out.
  2. Strong feeling needs an exclamation mark: ⟦Help, I'm stuck!⟧

Answer: ⟦!⟧

Example 3

Add the missing mark: ⟦The park is next to the school⟧

  1. It doesn't ask anything and doesn't show strong feeling.
  2. It tells you something, so it ends with a full stop.

Answer: ⟦The park is next to the school.⟧