Question Mark After a Sentence Ending with an Abbreviation
The Question Mark
Rulebase Summary
When a question ends with an abbreviation, keep the abbreviation's period and add the question mark after it. Unlike a statement (where the abbreviation's period does double duty), a question still needs its question mark. The result is a period immediately followed by a question mark (e.g., 'etc.?', 'Inc.?').
Morson's Rule 18 · p.12
Examples
✗
Q. Did the meeting end before 5 p.m?
✓
Q. Did the meeting end before 5 p.m.?
Keep the abbreviation period, then add the question mark.
✗
Q. Was she employed by Hanford Inc?
✓
Q. Was she employed by Hanford Inc.?
Abbreviation period plus question mark — both are needed.
Style Guide References (1)
Morson's
Rule 18
Page 12