“Colon After Verb” Usage by The New Yorker

Question

I have seen several uses by The New Yorker in which a colon is used after to-be verbs to introduce a question.Here is one of those uses (from The New Yorker, verbatim):The first question was: What does this deal mean?Is this correct usage? After all, The New Yorker is known for its exceptionally high quality in regard to grammar and punctuation.Thank you.

Canadian45 · Accepted Answer

victoI have seen several uses by The New Yorker in which a colon is used after to-be verbs to introduce a question. Here is one of those uses (from The New Yorker, verbatim):The first question was: What does this deal mean?

Is this correct usage? of course not, even though you see that kind of use everywhere now

The first question was "What does this deal mean?"

Victo · Answer

Thanks.

Enoon · Answer

The New Yorker is a stupid, snooty rag for self-styled intellectuals who have nothing better to do than display magazines they don't understand on their expensive coffee tables. Don't look to them for standard style or for value. (Ask me what I really think.) That said, their way of doing that is as good as any other. I would make it:

The first question was what does this deal mean? (if the question is figurative)

The first question was "What does this deal mean?" (literal)

Canadian45 · Answer

enoonThe first question was what does this deal mean? (if the question is figurative) I have some problem with this one. It ends with a question mark, but grammatically it's not a (real) question.

I would say 'The first question was about what this deal means.'

“Colon After Verb” Usage by The New Yorker

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