Mixed punctuation marks

Question

The "New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish" says that question and exclamation marks may be employed in one sentence. For example: "¿Anduviste diez kilómetres! I don't think I have seen this in books. Is it used much?

Great question! - --Mariana--, Dec 10, 2012

No. It wouldn't be correct. I don't think that anyone would like to follow that 'rule'. - -cae-, Dec 10, 2012

Gracias - padrin, Dec 11, 2012

The source doesn't state it as a rule - just that it is permissible - padrin, Dec 13, 2012

Answer 1

I did some research and found out that many writers, especially in informal texts, use multiple punctuation marks to express surprise and question in the same sentence.

Although it is common for the question mark to be written first (to highlight the question) there is no universal rule about it. Examples:

¿¡No vendrás a casa en Navidad!?

¿¡Te quedaste sin gasolina en medio del desierto!?

I have never used a construction of this sort before. So, I am glad I was able to learn something new from your question.

Thank you!

Thanks - the double marks look more sensible. - padrin, Dec 10, 2012

Answer 2

I have never seen it that way...

This is the correct use of both exclamation and interrogation marks:

"¿¡Anduviste diez kilómetros!?"

Gracias - padrin, Dec 10, 2012

Answer 3

Very different from english!

You can put that to music! - padrin, Dec 10, 2012