0
Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

rhetorical question

I would like this to be a rhetorical question. Is this a rhetorical question? Is it properly asked and natural?

Won't/Wouldn't it look bad when/if you tell your you chief of police after a long investigation that in fact the killer was your brother in law?
You would be ashamed to tell him.

Thank you
  

Top answer

Hi Yes. I would write: - Won't it look bad when you tell the chief of police, after a long investigation, that in fact the killer was your brother in law? It is rhetorical because it is not a question that seeks information; the answer is already known: 'yes' Dave

— Dave_anon

  • Hi Yes.
  • I would write: - Won't it look bad when you tell the chief of police, after a long investigation, that in fact the killer was your brother in law?
  • It is rhetorical because it is not a question that seeks information; the answer is already known: 'yes' Dave
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

9 Answers
0
Hi

Yes. I would write:

- Won't it look bad when you tell the chief of police, after a long investigation, that in fact the killer was your brother in law?

It is rhetorical because it is not a question that seeks information; the answer is already known: 'yes'

Dave
0
0
As a brief explanation, I would prefer to say that a rhetorical question is one where the speaker does not require or expect an answer. Sometimes it is not the words but the context, tone of voice, etc. that makes this clear.
0
0
Hi

I can't, offhand, think of a rhetorical question where the meaning is conveyed by context or tone of voice and yet the answer is not known to both parties. Can you provide us with one?

Dave :-)
0
0
Would this be satisfactory to you ?
Read the news lately? Mayoral candidate with repeated internet *** scandal running for office in New York, House Representative stealing $780,000 dollars of campaign funds for personal pleasures, and now San Diego Mayor is facing allegations of sexual harrassments by several women. Are these the kind of people you should trust to run your governments?
0
0
Hi

That's such a great answer that I have to say yes

But that's what you expect me to say!

Dave
0
0
(I meant, yes, I'm satisfied by your reply - not in answer to the question at the end!)

Is the question ' Read the news today?' used for persuasive effect? Or is it just a colloquialism?

Dave
0
0
dave_anonIs the question ' Read the news today?' used for persuasive effect? Or is it just a colloquialism?
Dave
I don't know if you had a chance to see the milk Ad where you live but "Got milk ?" has become a catchy slogan for milk producers. I supposed, it is a bittle bit of both.

0
0
Yes, I agree. It is possible to ask a rhetorical question without knowing whether the audience will think yes or no

Thanks, Dave
0
0
Would it be correct to say: Wouldn't it look bad if you tell the chief of police, after a long investigation, that in fact the killer was your brother in law?

Thanks
0

Related Questions