Question mark facts for kids
The question mark is a special symbol. It is a punctuation mark. We use it at the end of a sentence. It shows that you are asking a question.
This symbol helps readers know when a question is being asked. It makes writing clear and easy to understand.
Contents
Where Did the Question Mark Come From?
People think the question mark symbol came from the Latin word quæstio. This word means "question". It was often shortened to "Qo". The big letter Q was written above the small letter o. Over time, this mark changed into the symbol we use today.
Another idea is that the question mark came from the 9th century. Back then, it was a dot with a curved line written at an angle.
Spacing Rules
Sometimes, you might see a space between the end of a sentence and the question mark. This style is called "French spacing." It comes from a practice in France. In French, a space is always put before question marks, exclamation marks, colons, and semicolons.
However, in English, using this extra space is usually seen as incorrect. Even the Oxford English Dictionary does not suggest it. Some English books might have a very small space, but it's not a full space. This small space is just an attempt to make the words easier to read.
How the Question Mark Is Used
Here are some examples of how to use a question mark:
- "What time is it?"
- "How are you doing?"
- "Why did that happen?"
Question Marks in Computers
In computers, the question mark has a special code. It is represented by ASCII code 63. Its Unicode code is U+003F. There is also a wider version of the question mark, which is ？. Its Unicode code is U+FF1F.
See also
- Question mark (butterfly), a type of butterfly found in North America.
In Spanish: Signo de interrogación para niños
