Rulebase

Question Mark After Each Suggested Answer in a Series

The Question Mark

Rulebase Summary

When multiple suggested answers follow a question, put a question mark after the main question and after each suggested answer. Each suggested answer represents its own implied question. Treat them as separate interrogative fragments.

BGGP Interrog.10 · p.91

Examples

Q. What time did you leave, before 5:00, before 6:00, before 7:00.

Q. What time did you leave? Before 5:00? Before 6:00? Before 7:00?

Question mark after the main question and after each suggested answer.

Q. Who drove you home, your mother, your sister, a friend.

Q. Who drove you home? Your mother? Your sister? A friend?

Each option is an implied question — give each a question mark.

Transcript Notes

Attorneys sometimes offer a string of possible answers for the witness to choose from. Each one is functioning as its own question and should be punctuated accordingly.

Style Guide References (1)

BGGP

Interrog.10 Page 91
See also (2)