Punctuation order

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In a sentence, when I want to use an exclamation mark next to a question mark, how does the order works? example

I don't want to go to that party!?
or
I don't want to go to that party?!

Thanks for anybody who answers this silly question

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Type: Question • Score: 8 • Views: 1,412 • Replies: 20

[+3] - roger - 06/29/2014I think the exclamation point goes first, but either will convey the same feeling. By the way, that punctuation is called an interrobang, and wiki seems to agree that the order doesn't make much...
[+3] - roger - 06/30/2014Nevertheless, interrobang can be googled with more links than I have posted. Naturally, you may continue to disagree.

@Ninewords,

I see no need for the placement of a question mark in that sentence. This is not an inquiry or interrogatory

However, that being said, if you had the sentence worded this way,
"Why would I want to go to that party?!

It matters not at all what order they are placed.

3 Replies

@Ninewords,

I think the exclamation point goes first, but either will convey the same feeling. By the way, that punctuation is called an interrobang, and wiki seems to agree that the order doesn't make much difference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrobang

1 Reply

@Ragman,

I think it's meant to imply surprise

1 Reply

@neologist,

However, that could be the case, but it wouldn't be expressed as "I don't want to go to that party!?" That sentence is declarative.
Whereas the other "Why would I want to go to that party?!" is not.

2 Replies

@Ragman,

If I were to presume your intention and say you wished to attend (or not), you might return my declaration in such a way as to dismiss my presumption.

0 Replies

@Ragman,

Sorry, bad example

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@roger,

Oh, I didn't knew it had a name

0 Replies

Paired exclamation and/or question marks are definitely not standard English. A sentence can end with one (and only one) of either, but not both. So !? ?! !! ?? etc are unofficial and nonstandard.

3 Replies

@contrex,

Quote:

Paired exclamation and/or question marks are definitely not standard English. A sentence can end with one (and only one) of either, but not both. So !? ?! !! ?? etc are unofficial and nonstandard.

Nonstandard English is still English. Your reply is highly misleading. It illustrates, yet again, just how little you understand about how language works, Contrex.

0 Replies

@contrex,

Could you post a source that illustrates your contention?

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@Ragman,

It's possible to put an inflection in your voice to make I don't want to go to that party, a question, but for the life of me I can't think of any inflection that would make it a question and an exclamation.

1 Reply

@izzythepush,

Quote:

It's possible to put an inflection in your voice to make I don't want to go to that party, a question, but for the life of me I can't think of any inflection that would make it a question and an exclamation.

A: She doesn't want to go to that party.

B: HUH?! (Are you seriously trying to suggest that) I don't want to go to that party?!?! Are you nuts?!

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You say "Neo ate seven burritos."
Because it's not true. I say.
"I ate seven burritos!? Surely you jest!"

2 Replies

@neologist,

I might have eaten the seven burritos if there had been enough beer.

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@neologist,

You nailed it, Neo.

1 Reply

@Ninewords,

Trust your own language instincts, Nineworks. You know what you are saying.

I don't want to go to that party!?

Rising intonation on the first part can illustrate both a questioning tone and emphasis.

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@JTT,

Then, let's tap the keg

1 Reply

@neologist,

Yes, let's do. Cheers!

0 Replies

@Ragman,

The Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English: " ... will all find it (the LGSWE) useful to know which grammatical patterns are common and which are rare. Hitherto this information has been based on native-speaker intuition. However, native speakers rarely have accurate perceptions of these differences: ... "

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Punctuation order

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