How do I use a question as an embedded quotation when it also deserves a comma?
- So I asked "Shall I do the thing?" and he responded with "Yes."
In that sentence, should the ?
exist? It kind of feels like it should be a comma, given its place in the sentence. Thing is, if I take away the comma, it loses its identity as a question.
What is the correct way to solve this?
Solution 1:
In general, question marks and exclamation points trump commas. When a question mark (or exclamation point) and a comma should naturally both appear, the comma is left out.
According to this blog, the Chicago Manual of Style says
When a question mark or exclamation point appears at the end of a quotation where a comma would normally appear, the comma is omitted.
The blog points out that there is an exception when the question mark or exclamation is part of a title. In this case, style guides offer differing advice on what to do.