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What is the correct punctuation for an indirect question?


I'm wondering how it is correct to structure sentence and what punctuation should be used. In particular, is the next sentence correct:



I was wondering if there's any progress on the issue.



Or should I put a question mark in the end of it. Also, can it be restructured to:



I was wondering: is there any progress on the issue?




Answer



You do not need a question mark because the sentence is what is called an "indirect question."



Indirect questions do not close with a question mark but with a period. Like direct questions they demand a response, but they are expressed as declarations without the formal characteristics of a question.



More explanation here.


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