Question beginning with 'if not.'

YajR · Wed Jul 09, 2008 19:21 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Are you the person responsible for this? If not, would you please direct me to the appropriate contact at frappuccino?

someone is telling me that the second sentence is not a question, and thus should not have a question mark at the end of it. I beg to differ. Am i Wrong?

Yankee · Wed Jul 09, 2008 19:50 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Hi YajR

Here is one opinion:

YajR · Wed Jul 09, 2008 20:06 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Interesting. I see what you mean about the sentence you quoted being a request.

My concern is if a sentence such as mine is still considered a request instead of a question since answering the question would depend on the response given to the question preceding it.

Yankee · Wed Jul 09, 2008 20:26 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Hi YajR

Despite the conditional nature of the sentence, to me, it is indeed a polite request.

I'm sure sentences such as yours are written both with and without a question mark. I suspect many will use a question mark simply because the word order is interrogative in the main clause.

I think the use of a question mark in a sentence such as yours is probably largely a question of personal style and preference.

That's my two cents.
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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

YajR · Wed Jul 09, 2008 20:35 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

How does that work if that was sent in an email, asking for a non-face-to-face response. My intent in the question is begging for a response and not directing the person to perform a non-verbal action.

On occasion, I receive responses from others with answers such as "No, I will not direct you." Which is why I tend to move towards the question.

Yankee · Wed Jul 09, 2008 20:59 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Hi YajR

To be honest, I fail to see how the lack of a question mark could reliably prevent a response such as "No, I will not direct you". It seems to me that anyone who would respond that way would be reacting to something other than the presence of a question mark.
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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

YajR · Wed Jul 09, 2008 21:07 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Really? Interesting view. When I think of that sentence, the responses I envision receiving are between; sure .. "bill jones is your man," or "no, I won't be able to direct you to someone."

What response would cross your mind if you received such a question / request via a non-verbal communication channel?

Yankee · Wed Jul 09, 2008 21:46 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Hi YajR

"No, I will not direct you" strikes me as being quite impolite as a response to your politely worded request. That's the reason that I didn't think the presence or lack of a question mark would make much difference. Someone willing to respond that specific way would probably do so for some other reason. Laughing

You could avoid the "problem" simply by not wording your request in an interrogative format.
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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

YajR · Wed Jul 09, 2008 22:26 pm *Question beginning with 'if not.'*

Yes. That answer is not very common and a little rude. I'm glad I don't get it all the time Smile

I'm not sure any other way of being more polite and non-confrontational with that question.

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