The question mark (?) is a punctuation mark that replaces the full stop or period at the end of an interrogative sentence.

The question mark is not used for indirect questions. The question mark character is also often used in place of missing or unknown data.

Rule 1.Use the question mark when posing a direct query in an interrogative sentence. This denotes that the speaker is seeking information.

• Are there any letters for me this morning?
• When did you finish writing that letter?

Rule 2. Use the question mark to turn a statement into a question. This denotes that the speaker is assuming or hoping for a certain reply.

• You promise to finish going through these invoices?
• She didn't actually quit her job?

Rule 3. Use the question mark in statements ending with a word inflected as a query and with question tags.

• Just leave these papers on my desk, OK?
• So you got a promotion, eh?
• You didn't find those documents, did you?
• You found those documents, didn't you?