Questions with an explanation

Asked Jun 23 '20 at 11:16

Active Jun 24 '20 at 10:04

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What is the correct punctuation for a question that in itself contains an explanation as to why it was asked? For example:

"Is the book long - I might read it just for fun?"
"Is this dress new - I really like it?"

Should there be a comma or a semicolon instead of a dash? Is it considered bad style to break up such sentences into two? Like this:

"Is the book long? I might read it just for fun."

The two-sentence version changes the rhythm, it adds a break between the question and the explanation. Sometimes you want to say (or read) it in a single breath.

Is there a special name for these type of questions?

edited Jun 24 '20 at 10:04

Matt E. Эллен

29,137

asked Jun 23 '20 at 11:16

Janez Kuhar

It seems to me that regardless of whether the two parts are tightly tied together, the second part is still not a question. It's a statement. So it doesn't make sense to include it in the question, punctuated by a question mark. Two sentences would seem like the only logical option. – Isabel Archer Jun 23 '20 at 11:46
Does this answer your question? Punctuating a sentence which is a question followed by statement And better, @Jon Hanna's answer at Do you use a question mark {and if so where} when a sentence starts as a question but then turns into a statement? – Edwin Ashworth Jun 24 '20 at 12:03
@EdwinAshworth No, but very related, thanks. – Janez Kuhar Jun 24 '20 at 14:30
1

'Can you explain this to me? I don't understand the second part.' is a near duplicate. The solution is to re-order or use two sentences. – Edwin Ashworth Jun 24 '20 at 15:24

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