Has the question mark changed its meaning?

[oxfordcircus]

I have noticed people using the question mark in a new an interesting way - to indicate possible confusion. For example, one might use it in the following manner: "I didnt beleive it until I saw him wrap his arm around her on the bus when I wasnt lookin??" Clearly this isn't a question. It could only be described as a statement. Is this a new standard usage?

 

[iloveboardwalk]

In real life, tone of voice would indicate the "surprise"

A lot is lost in translation with the written word so people come up with ways to express their ideas on the internet in a more conversational manner.

IMO, of course.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Are you PWI, again?????

 

[TimeforMe]

Not that I know of?

C'mon, you knew you'd get this kind of response

 

[nuke]

I think the internet has changed a lot of things. I can understand using the ?? after a statement if you are questioning your thoughts. It's kind of like using this guy after your statement.

 

[buzzlady]

I have noticed people using the question mark in a new an interesting way - to indicate possible confusion. For example, one might use it in the following manner: "I didnt beleive it until I saw him wrap his arm around her on the bus when I wasnt lookin??" Clearly this isn't a question. It could only be described as a statement. Is this a new standard usage?

You have to consider where you took that sentence from and who wrote it.

 

[oxfordcircus]

Are you PWI, again?????

HA HA? No, I can't handle 2 nights in a row?

 

[SplshMtn99]

HA HA? No, I can't handle 2 nights in a row?

I was wondering how you were feeling this morning?

 

[oxfordcircus]

You have to consider where you took that sentence from and who wrote it.

I have seen it elsewhere, but that yahoo thing obviously did prompt the question. Funny, funny stuff.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

AFAIK, different rules of communication apply on the internet.

 

[oxfordcircus]

In real life, tone of voice would indicate the "surprise"

A lot is lost in translation with the written word so people come up with ways to express their ideas on the internet in a more conversational manner.

IMO, of course.

I see what you mean about tone of voice and conversation, but the written word and our rules of punctuation preceded Al Gore's invention of the internet, so it seems like we would just import our existing rules into this new medium?

 

[oxfordcircus]

I was wondering how you were feeling this morning?

Great! as usual!

 

[dreamcometrue]

could you be pregnant? With boys, possibly girls? Maybe you need an ex-ray!?

 

[oxfordcircus]

could you be pregnant? With boys, possibly girls? Maybe you need an ex-ray!?

That would be newsworthy.

 

[DisneyGuy77]

??? ???

 

[Christine]

I think, on message boards, it's used to indicate rhetorical statements.

 

[kristen821]

I use it when I am questioning my own thought.

 

[dodukes]

Yes I too use it when questioning and confusion, kinda like a expalin it to me kinda way. For example I may email my friend,... hey i thought we were going to the park not to mc'd??? meaning confusion on my part please elaborate....i know how its use if i were to be writing a proper email or a paper, but i have to agree the internet doesnt let you hear tone and stuff so you have to do your best to put that forth in just letters and symbols.