1. Alesia

    Alesia Pen names: AJ Connor, Carey Connolly Contributor

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    Who cares...

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Alesia, Aug 16, 2013.

    I know it's a question but which is the proper punctuation here?

    or

    I ask because the character speaking isn't really asking anyone. It's more of that flat response than a question. Given that info does the ? apply anyway?
     
  2. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

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    This one I think: "Who cares? I need to sleep..."

    It doesn't matter if it's rhetorical or an actual question to someone.
     
  3. Pheonix

    Pheonix A Singer of Space Operas and The Fourth Mod of RP Contributor

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    I think you get two different tones.

    "Who cares." is a statement. Which is how it ends up getting used a lot. While,

    "Who cares?" is a question, albeit rhetorical. I feel like, proper punctuation would be dictated by whether or not your character is directing it at someone or is using it as a rhetorical question, or if they're just saying "who cares," as an interjection or way to get out of a conversation.

    But, I could be totally wrong about that. lol :p
     
  4. Alesia

    Alesia Pen names: AJ Connor, Carey Connolly Contributor

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    That's kind of what I was thinking. Period because it's a statement and not directed at anyone in particular. Just internal monologue. But I wanted to make sure.
     
  5. shadowwalker

    shadowwalker Contributor Contributor

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    How is "Who cares." a statement unless 'Who' is somebody's name/nickname? And then it would mean that Who does care. So a period makes no sense. "Who cares?" is proper - no, it's not directed at anyone in particular, but that doesn't change the fact it is a rhetorical question.
     
  6. blackstar21595

    blackstar21595 New Member

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    The latter is correct.
     
  7. Alesia

    Alesia Pen names: AJ Connor, Carey Connolly Contributor

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    The way Shadowwalker explains it, yeah makes sense. I see it now.
     
  8. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    yes, that's why it needs to be a '?' and not a period...
     

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