1. Headintheclouds

    Headintheclouds New Member

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    Using ? in Dialogue

    Discussion in 'Dialogue Development' started by Headintheclouds, Jan 21, 2012.

    So my question is, which is the correct format for a person asking a question:

    1. "Like this," she asked.
    OR
    2. "Like this?" she asked.

    So, which is the correct grammar? Personally, I perfer number 2 because I often confuse 1 for a statement despite the use of the word 'asked'. However, what is the technically correct way to do this?
     
  2. Ziggy Stardust

    Ziggy Stardust Active Member

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    Second one is correct.
     
  3. IrishLantern

    IrishLantern New Member

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    Yep, second one is the one you want :)
     
  4. akexodia

    akexodia Member

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    The second! Infact, when you type it on Ms Word, it'll automatically highlight the mistake with a red underline.
     
  5. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    depends what you are trying to say.

    'like this' she said is demonstrating/comfirming something.
    by chosing to use say instead of ask.

    'like this?' she asked is then asking for comfirmation or clarification.
     
  6. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    yes, cacian, but with 'asked' as the dialog tag, it really has to be a question... and that's what the op was asking about...
     
  7. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    in this case one as I put it it is better to use said in the first
    and
    asked in the second.
     

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