“Would you like some dessert”? he asked. vs “Would you like some dessert?” he asked.

Both phrases are correct, but the second one is more commonly used and follows the standard punctuation rules for dialogue. The question mark should be inside the quotation marks, and the period should be placed after the closing quotation mark.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 8484 views

“Would you like some dessert”? he asked.

This phrase is correct, but it does not follow the standard punctuation rules for dialogue in English.

In informal writing, such as creative writing or dialogue in a story, this format may be acceptable. However, in formal writing or when following standard punctuation rules, the question mark should be inside the quotation marks.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 23, 2024

Oct 24, 2024 ... He could have asked for something like money, dessert, car etc. Heck, he could have asked for a literal girl even. Meme.
Oct 13, 2024 ... The nuns who lived inside were completely secluded, passing desserts (and other objects) through a lazy-Susan-like wheel, which you can still ...
Oct 15, 2024 ... When he asked what's that, I quickly said that it's some store bought cake. ... Even though she had a feeling she might not like it, she still ...
The Dessert Table: Unforgettable Jewish Sweets is going to be a big, bold, beautiful celebration of Jewish confections from around the world. It will include ...
The meat, then the side dishes, then the dessert, oh, and then I add on an appetizer, oh they might not like what I picked so I make two ... ... In broken English ...
His curiosity piqued, he asked,. Where would you get durian? I have a rough time finding a conventional grocery store in Philadelphia that has fresh spinach.
Oct 27, 2016 ... I say, “Just bring your appetite.”. I don't like it when people bring food. They usually bring a store bought dessert which I then have to serve ...
May 29, 2014 ... I had two jobs, so I was out. He asked her, "Please, make a dessert for me." He just persisted. Finally she asked him, "You are big enough ...
Jul 27, 2017 ... If he asked you to dinner, he is probably paying, but I wouldn't count on it. He may want to kiss or something more, but I wouldn't count on ...
Jul 10, 2020 ... Tentatively, he offered to feed me a bite of the dessert. Even though he clearly felt awkward and embarrassed that he didn't really know how to ...

“Would you like some dessert?” he asked.

This phrase is correct and follows the standard punctuation rules for dialogue in English.

This format is the standard way to punctuate dialogue in English. The question mark should be inside the quotation marks, and the period should be placed after the closing quotation mark.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 23, 2024

Oct 24, 2024 ... He could have asked for something like money, dessert, car etc. Heck, he could have asked for a literal girl even. Meme.
Oct 13, 2024 ... The nuns who lived inside were completely secluded, passing desserts (and other objects) through a lazy-Susan-like wheel, which you can still ...
Oct 15, 2024 ... When he asked what's that, I quickly said that it's some store bought cake. ... Even though she had a feeling she might not like it, she still ...
The Dessert Table: Unforgettable Jewish Sweets is going to be a big, bold, beautiful celebration of Jewish confections from around the world. It will include ...
The meat, then the side dishes, then the dessert, oh, and then I add on an appetizer, oh they might not like what I picked so I make two ... ... In broken English ...
His curiosity piqued, he asked,. Where would you get durian? I have a rough time finding a conventional grocery store in Philadelphia that has fresh spinach.
Oct 27, 2016 ... I say, “Just bring your appetite.”. I don't like it when people bring food. They usually bring a store bought dessert which I then have to serve ...
May 29, 2014 ... I had two jobs, so I was out. He asked her, "Please, make a dessert for me." He just persisted. Finally she asked him, "You are big enough ...
Jul 27, 2017 ... If he asked you to dinner, he is probably paying, but I wouldn't count on it. He may want to kiss or something more, but I wouldn't count on ...
Jul 10, 2020 ... Tentatively, he offered to feed me a bite of the dessert. Even though he clearly felt awkward and embarrassed that he didn't really know how to ...

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