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Should there be a question mark after "in the story"?
I know it's not a direct question, but it is a continuation of the original question & requires an answer

Tim: So what happened next?
Mum: What do you mean?
Tim: In the story?

TrevorD
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Jack
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  • It could be argued that he is asking 'what happened next in the story?' in which case the question mark would be ok and would also indicate a question intonation. – S Conroy May 06 '19 at 22:50
  • @SConroy I disagree: he's clarifying his earlier question, but not actually asking a question. – TrevorD May 06 '19 at 22:59
  • @Trevor D. I think if it was part of a short story or a literary piece, the presence or absence of the question mark would make a difference to how the reader 'hears' the dialogue. In my view it's a matter of context. – S Conroy May 06 '19 at 23:04

1 Answers1

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No. It is a separate statement. If it were together, then yes.

So what happened next in the story?

As a response to "What do you mean", it is a statement.

I mean, "in the story." What happened next in the story?

Carly
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