I accidently posted (and cancelled) a message meant for another NG. - sorry about that.

[David]

I cancelled just seconds after it appeared on my newsreader, so you might not see it. If you do see it, just ignore it.

It isn't pertinent to the fine people of this NG!

Dave

[alexy]

Too late. But it was funny.

[David]

Not only that, but YOU misread my sentence. It WAS a question.

Dave

[JLarsson]

Here's the sentence for anyone who missed it:

"When a SEEMINGLY level-headed and intelligent person on this NG can't make the distinction between a declarative statement and a question, I wonder if there's any shred of hope of my posts EVER being understood accurately?"

It WAS a declarative sentence. First, there came the introductory subordinate clause. "When a SEEMINGLY level-headed and intelligent person on this NG can't make the distinction between a declarative statement and a question," has a subject (person), a verb phrase (can make, with "not" as a modifier), and a direct object (distinction). Then came the main clause. "I wonder if there's any shred of hope of my posts EVER being understood accurately?" This, too, has a subject (I) and a verb (wonder) and then a subordinate clause being used as the direct object ("there's" is both subject and verb - "there" + "is"). But the clause is obviously declarative. It makes the statement "I wonder". A question is NOT being asked, so the question mark should be replaced with a period or an exclamation point, as your emotions dictate. :)

It's true: I have WAY too much time on my hands sometimes.

[David]

For all that, you still missed the fact that the sentence asked a question! (The "I wonder... part)

Dave

[JLarsson]

Dave - I was just having fun, but seriously - "I wonder" is actually an indirect question, not requiring (or desiring) a question mark.

question.

The instructor asked the students what they were doing. I asked my sister if she had a date. I wonder if Cheney will run for vice president again. I wonder whether Cheney will run again. "

Regards -

JLarsson

[David]

I hear what you are saying, but there are TWO ways to SAY a sentence such as "I wonder if Cheney..." One way is to say it with a level pitch , making it a statement, and the other way is to use a rising inflection to make it a question worthy of an answer by the listener(s).

Peace! :)

Dave

[Leon]

Actually I believe it is a statement or declaration about something you are thinking about.

[David]

You mean you didn't couldn't hear my rising inflection at the end of the sentence, making it a question (along with the words "I wonder")? :)

Dave

[David]

dammit! I type at a different rate than I think. Strike "didn't"

Dave

[Leon]

Well no, I read it as a statement that oddly ends with a question mark. But then I am a Texan. LOL

[David]

Then the lack of a regional accent on my part must have thrown you off!

dave

[bridger]

JLarsson-

you're wasting your time. if you want to see details, search google groups for David's previous nym- Bay Area Dave. all will be clear.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I wonder if that is true.

[David]

OR, "I wonder if that is true?"

Dave

[george]

Thank God you folks aren't splitting infinitives or substituting articles with conjunctions! (Those are MY pet peeves.)

George

[Vic Baron]

And you can read?

Sorry 'bout that - couldn't hep m'sef.

:)