TYPICAL ERROR Dylan wanted to know why the dodo became extinct?
CORRECTION Dylan wanted to know why the dodo became extinct.
EXPLANATION The sentence above is not a question but a statement. Notice the first part of the sentence:
Dylan wanted to know ...
If you study that, you will realise that it is making a statement about Dylan; it is not asking a question. In these pairs of sentences, the first is a question and the second is a statement. Notice that question marks are placed only after questions.
- ‘Do you know the way, Chloe?’ asked Sophie.
- Sophie asked Chloe if she knew the way.
- Can the panda possibly survive?
- Scientists are wondering whether the panda can possibly survive.
Which of these sentences are questions and so should have question marks after them? Which are not questions and should have full stops? Insert a question mark or full stop after each sentence as appropriate.