Inverted question mark

Question

Curious as to why the inverted question mark (¿) is used at the beginning of a question in Spanish instead of just the one for the end of the question. ?¿?¿

I edited your question so it says 'beginning'. :) Hope I helped - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 25, 2011

Answer 1

When writing in Spanish you open a question, ¿ and then close it ? It is the same with the exclamation you open the exclamation ¡ and then close it !

Answer 2

Maybe the real question is...why don't English speakers use a question mark at the beginning?

Because you have "do" to signal questions (but we don't):

You know what is going on.

Do you know what is going on?

Answer 3

In English questions usually have a different sentence structure. In Spanish they don't, so you only know it is a question because of the question mark at the beginning, or by tone of voice in speech,

Answer 4

You have to use it because that is the grammar rule. In the Spanish language, that is how you indicate that the following sentence is interrogative.

In informal conversations [texting and IM'ing], many do not use the inverted question mark.

Maybe the real question is...why don't English speakers use a question mark at the beginning?

...cause it is too much work! :) - vivalafuriaroja, Jun 25, 2011

Jaja, good one! :D - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 25, 2011

Sorry...I don't know why I put the "welcome sign" in...you've been a member longer than me! Jajaja :) - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 25, 2011

Answer 5

The inverted question mark comes at the beginning.