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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Does this have a question mark or not?

I have seen the following numerous times with a question mark and I absolutely do not believe it is a question.

Would you kindly take your seats while I get this meeting in order?

To me, this is a statement/command telling everyone to take their seats. To me, it is absolutely not a true question so why are people putting a question mark after it and similar type of "Would you kindly..... etc." command like statements.

It really annoys me because it is in no way a question to me.
  

Top answer

I'm afraid that you will have to continue to be annoyed. It is a polite request framed as a question (note inverted S–Auxiliary word order), and should carry a question mark when written. " This is imperative and ends in a period.

— Mister Micawber

  • I'm afraid that you will have to continue to be annoyed.
  • It is a polite request framed as a question (note inverted S–Auxiliary word order), and should carry a question mark when written.
  • " This is imperative and ends in a period.
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2 Answers
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I'm afraid that you will have to continue to be annoyed. It is a polite request framed as a question (note inverted S–Auxiliary word order), and should carry a question mark when written.

The 'command' would be "Kindly take your seats...order." This is imperative and ends in a period.
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It isn't a "true" question in the sense that it expects an answer, but it is still interrogative and therefore requires a question mark.
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