Home/Common Mistakes/Writing/All Other Punctuation/Don’t use question marks for requests
Home/Common Mistakes/Writing/All Other Punctuation/Don’t use question marks for requests

Don’t use question marks for requests

A question needs an answer and a question mark at the end. A request doesn’t need an answer, so it isn’t a question. Don’t use question marks for requests.

Decide if you want or need an answer.

Compare:

  • Can you please give me five copies of this article. (request)
  • Did you write this article? (Question, so I need an answer.)
  • Would you kindly fill out this application form.
  • Do you have any application forms?