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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
I wonder why [...] ?
Following a method of Ms Richoux, I did a Google search of the Literature Post site (http://www.literaturepost.com/) on 'I wonder why'. Of course this is just a small subset of possible 'wonder' sentences, but here's what I found:-
Total number of hits: 78
Translations (excluded): 3
Exact string absent (for whatever reason; excluded): 2 Examples with question-marks: 28
Much as I might dislike this result, it does seem to show that the disputed question-mark is in general use among the authors surveyed. They may not all be among the greatest of authors, but they do include Hardy, Dickens, Carroll, D. H. Lawrence, Conrad, and George Eliot. (They also include American authors, though no American greats... could this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)
Here are the 28 examples ('/' indicates a new line):
(1) I wonder why the Spanish dagger grows so thick on this hill, Enid? (Willa Cather in One of Ours )
(2) "I wonder why?" asked Dorothy. (L. Frank Baum in The Emerald City of Oz )
(3) "I wonder why you feel like that?" Carl mused. (Willa Cather in O Pioneers! )
(4) "She speaks so little " / "Yes. I wonder why? (Edward Bulwer Lytton in My Novel )
(5) "I wonder why they did that?" mused Dorothy. (LFB in Glinda of Oz )
(6) "'Dear,'" thought Mary to herself; "he hasn't called me that since I was sixteen. I wonder why he does it now? (H. Rider Haggard in Stella Fregelius )
(7) "I spy a peacock's eye / On every feather. I wonder why?" (LFB in Sky Island )
(8) "I wonder why mother didn't wish it?" (Thomas Hardy in The Mayor of Casterbridge )
(9) I wonder why folks get cross when it rains? (LFB in SI ) (10) I wonder WHY it wouldn't do?' thought Alice, as she groped her way among the tables and chairs, for the shop was very dark towards the end. (Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass ) (11) "I wonder why it is," Eustace Le Neve interposed, to spare Cleer's feelings, "that so many high places, tops of mountains and so forth, seem always to be dedicated to St. Michael in particular? (Allen Grant in Michael's Crag )
(12) "I must see Venn I wish I had known it before," said Clym anxiously. "I wonder why he has not come to tell me?" (13) HARLEY. "All history is, and all women are fond of war and of warriors.
I wonder why?" (EBL in MN )
(14) "Quite so, Baas. He will be angry. I wonder why he did it?" he added
suspiciously, "seeing that he is such a friend of yours." (HRH in She and Allan )
(15) "Prejudice against my poor mother! I always supposed so! I wonder why? The most simple-hearted, inoffensive, affectionate woman." (EBL in What Will He Do With It )
(16) "I wonder why you didn't scream and bite me when I came into your room?" said Mary. (Frances Hodgson Burnett in The Secret Garden ) (17) I wonder why he fixed on me as the musical one? (George Eliot in Daniel Deronda )
(18) I have been unfortunate in my love affairs. I wonder why? (William J. Locke in Simon the Jester )
(19) "I wonder why I have sent for you?" he said at length, with a mirthless laugh. (HRH in When the World Shook )
(20) I wonder why such a love of conquest was put into us? (Louisa May Alcott in An Old Fashioned Girl )
(21) Now I wonder why did she ? (HRH in The Ancient Allan ) (22) "Nearly all, for the queen set the fashion I wonder why she hated him so?" Inez added, looking shrewdly at Peter; (HRH in Fair Margaret )
(23) I suppose we do make more noise than English people," she admitted a second or so later. "I wonder why?" (FHB in The Shuttle ) (24) 'I wonder why you ever fell in love with me?' said Dora, beginning on another button of my coat. (CD in David Copperfield ) (25) He was very irritated. I said innocently: "Are they, sir. I wonder why?" / "Why!" he fumed. (Joseph Conrad in The Shadow Line ) (26) Now, if when I was a youngster I had taken some of those intensely masculine
vacations you go in for I wonder why you didn't invite me sometimes? (Jack London in Smoke Bellew )
(27) "He seems to have given it up," she murmured. / "I wonder why?" (JC in Chance )
(28) "I wonder why nurse didn't come to settle me down?" complained the mother, like a child, wistfully. (D. H. Lawrence in Sons and Lovers )
...g
Total number of hits: 78
Translations (excluded): 3
Exact string absent (for whatever reason; excluded): 2 Examples with question-marks: 28
Much as I might dislike this result, it does seem to show that the disputed question-mark is in general use among the authors surveyed. They may not all be among the greatest of authors, but they do include Hardy, Dickens, Carroll, D. H. Lawrence, Conrad, and George Eliot. (They also include American authors, though no American greats... could this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)
Here are the 28 examples ('/' indicates a new line):
(1) I wonder why the Spanish dagger grows so thick on this hill, Enid? (Willa Cather in One of Ours )
(2) "I wonder why?" asked Dorothy. (L. Frank Baum in The Emerald City of Oz )
(3) "I wonder why you feel like that?" Carl mused. (Willa Cather in O Pioneers! )
(4) "She speaks so little " / "Yes. I wonder why? (Edward Bulwer Lytton in My Novel )
(5) "I wonder why they did that?" mused Dorothy. (LFB in Glinda of Oz )
(6) "'Dear,'" thought Mary to herself; "he hasn't called me that since I was sixteen. I wonder why he does it now? (H. Rider Haggard in Stella Fregelius )
(7) "I spy a peacock's eye / On every feather. I wonder why?" (LFB in Sky Island )
(8) "I wonder why mother didn't wish it?" (Thomas Hardy in The Mayor of Casterbridge )
(9) I wonder why folks get cross when it rains? (LFB in SI ) (10) I wonder WHY it wouldn't do?' thought Alice, as she groped her way among the tables and chairs, for the shop was very dark towards the end. (Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass ) (11) "I wonder why it is," Eustace Le Neve interposed, to spare Cleer's feelings, "that so many high places, tops of mountains and so forth, seem always to be dedicated to St. Michael in particular? (Allen Grant in Michael's Crag )
(12) "I must see Venn I wish I had known it before," said Clym anxiously. "I wonder why he has not come to tell me?" (13) HARLEY. "All history is, and all women are fond of war and of warriors.
I wonder why?" (EBL in MN )
(14) "Quite so, Baas. He will be angry. I wonder why he did it?" he added
suspiciously, "seeing that he is such a friend of yours." (HRH in She and Allan )
(15) "Prejudice against my poor mother! I always supposed so! I wonder why? The most simple-hearted, inoffensive, affectionate woman." (EBL in What Will He Do With It )
(16) "I wonder why you didn't scream and bite me when I came into your room?" said Mary. (Frances Hodgson Burnett in The Secret Garden ) (17) I wonder why he fixed on me as the musical one? (George Eliot in Daniel Deronda )
(18) I have been unfortunate in my love affairs. I wonder why? (William J. Locke in Simon the Jester )
(19) "I wonder why I have sent for you?" he said at length, with a mirthless laugh. (HRH in When the World Shook )
(20) I wonder why such a love of conquest was put into us? (Louisa May Alcott in An Old Fashioned Girl )
(21) Now I wonder why did she ? (HRH in The Ancient Allan ) (22) "Nearly all, for the queen set the fashion I wonder why she hated him so?" Inez added, looking shrewdly at Peter; (HRH in Fair Margaret )
(23) I suppose we do make more noise than English people," she admitted a second or so later. "I wonder why?" (FHB in The Shuttle ) (24) 'I wonder why you ever fell in love with me?' said Dora, beginning on another button of my coat. (CD in David Copperfield ) (25) He was very irritated. I said innocently: "Are they, sir. I wonder why?" / "Why!" he fumed. (Joseph Conrad in The Shadow Line ) (26) Now, if when I was a youngster I had taken some of those intensely masculine
vacations you go in for I wonder why you didn't invite me sometimes? (Jack London in Smoke Bellew )
(27) "He seems to have given it up," she murmured. / "I wonder why?" (JC in Chance )
(28) "I wonder why nurse didn't come to settle me down?" complained the mother, like a child, wistfully. (D. H. Lawrence in Sons and Lovers )
...g
Top answer
com /) on 'I wonder ... (They also include American authors, though no American greats... )[/nq] I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it.
- com /) on 'I wonder ...
- (They also include American authors, though no American greats...
- )[/nq] I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it.
- I can't be sure, but it appears that there isn't a single one of your 28 quotations that dates from much later than about 1925.
- Many of them are from the 19th Century.
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57 Answers
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[nq:1]Following a method of Ms Richoux, I did a Google search of the Literature Post site (http://www.literaturepost.com/) on 'I wonder ... (They also include American authors, though no American greats... could this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)[/nq]
I snipped your list, but it's available to anyo
I snipped your list, but it's available to anyo
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[nq:2]Following a method of Ms Richoux, I did a Google ... this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)[/nq]
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it. I can't be sure, but ... that's what it is, would suggest to me that the one percent were either in error or idiosyncratic. Or both.[/nq]
Another possible skew factor involves editorial
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it. I can't be sure, but ... that's what it is, would suggest to me that the one percent were either in error or idiosyncratic. Or both.[/nq]
Another possible skew factor involves editorial
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[nq:2]Following a method of Ms Richoux, I did a Google ... disputed question-mark is in general use among the authors surveyed.[/nq]
My thanks to Gerald it's an interesting result and I see no problems in the method.
[nq:2]They may not all be among the greatest of authors, ... this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)[/nq]
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to
My thanks to Gerald it's an interesting result and I see no problems in the method.
[nq:2]They may not all be among the greatest of authors, ... this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)[/nq]
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to
00
[nq:2]Following a method of Ms Richoux, I did a Google ... this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)[/nq]
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it. I can't be sure, but ... that's what it is, would suggest to me that the one percent were either in error or idiosyncratic. Or both.[/nq]
Isn't it possible that copyright restrictions have s
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it. I can't be sure, but ... that's what it is, would suggest to me that the one percent were either in error or idiosyncratic. Or both.[/nq]
Isn't it possible that copyright restrictions have s
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Matti asked:
[nq:1]Do any punctuation or style manuals explicitly disapprove of this question mark?[/nq]
Yes. The Chicago Manual of Style, probably the most widely used stylesheet in U.S. academic publishing, recommends against it:
>
>
*Warning! The absence of the article here may confuse native speakers of languages lacking articles. It may even startle native spea
[nq:1]Do any punctuation or style manuals explicitly disapprove of this question mark?[/nq]
Yes. The Chicago Manual of Style, probably the most widely used stylesheet in U.S. academic publishing, recommends against it:
>
>
*Warning! The absence of the article here may confuse native speakers of languages lacking articles. It may even startle native spea
00
[nq:1]Matti asked:[/nq]
[nq:2]Do any punctuation or style manuals explicitly disapprove of this question mark?[/nq]
[nq:1] here may confuse native speakers of languages lacking articles. It may even startle native speakers of English.[/nq]
But these are not related even loosely to "I wonder ...?", which is what we're discussing. So I assume the CMS has no pronouncement to make on it wh
[nq:2]Do any punctuation or style manuals explicitly disapprove of this question mark?[/nq]
[nq:1] here may confuse native speakers of languages lacking articles. It may even startle native speakers of English.[/nq]
But these are not related even loosely to "I wonder ...?", which is what we're discussing. So I assume the CMS has no pronouncement to make on it wh
00
[nq:2]Following a method of Ms Richoux, I did a Google ... this be a glimmer of evidence for a pondian dichotomy?)[/nq]
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it. I can't be sure, but ... of them are from the 19th Century. I wonder if you attach any significance to that. I know I do.[/nq]
It may well be significant, but without data for modern authors
[nq:1]I snipped your list, but it's available to anyone who wants to look for it. I can't be sure, but ... of them are from the 19th Century. I wonder if you attach any significance to that. I know I do.[/nq]
It may well be significant, but without data for modern authors
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[nq:1]The balance (45, excluding translations and inexactly matching strings) had full-stops or exclamation-marks. Thus, more than one-third had question-marks in ... than 1%, I would have discounted them, or used the statistics to bolster my case that the usage is incorrect..g[/nq]
This must surely be a good moment to abandon the appeal to statistics. All we can say is that a skilled writer m
This must surely be a good moment to abandon the appeal to statistics. All we can say is that a skilled writer m
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[nq:2]The balance (45, excluding translations and inexactly matching strings) had ... statistics to bolster my case that the usage is incorrect..g[/nq]
[nq:1]This must surely be a good moment to abandon the appeal to statistics. All we can say is that a ... in formal writing, I'd be surprised to see a question-mark, and would probably call it a mistake if I did.[/nq]
Indeed, this may be th
[nq:1]This must surely be a good moment to abandon the appeal to statistics. All we can say is that a ... in formal writing, I'd be surprised to see a question-mark, and would probably call it a mistake if I did.[/nq]
Indeed, this may be th
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[nq:2]Matti asked: Yes. The Chicago Manual of Style, probably the most widely used stylesheet in U.S. academic publishing, recommends against it:[/nq]
[nq:1]But these are not related even loosely to "I wonder ...?", which is what we're discussing. So I assume the CMS has no pronouncement to make on it what about any others?[/nq]
The word 'Chicago' in the title gives me the strange idea tha
[nq:1]But these are not related even loosely to "I wonder ...?", which is what we're discussing. So I assume the CMS has no pronouncement to make on it what about any others?[/nq]
The word 'Chicago' in the title gives me the strange idea tha
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