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Exclamation mark after words ending with "l" or "ll"
I've found that an exclamation mark after words ending with "l" or "ll" can be hard to read. In a story I'm working on I tried this:
"What the hell!"
because it was hard to see the "!" I put a space before it instead:
"What the hell !"
Is it wrong to use a space like this?
Comments
A space looks more jarring to me.
I agree with b_r. To leave a space might make the writing look like the work of an amateur.
Also, when it is a question, it's rhetorical. Does someone who exclaims, 'What the hell?' expect an answer?
I think it's used more as an expression of shock so it can get away with an exclamation mark, though I see your point, OLG (as I'm OCD about punctuation usually!!).
(Edited to add final full stop)
At this point in the story it's more an exclamation rather than a question.
I agree with b_r. To leave a space might make the writing look like the work of an amateur. [/quote]
Thanks. Have removed the space.
'What the hell?' has an upward inflection, and is a question. 'Oh, what the hell' has a downward inflection and is a throwaway comment. You could add an exclamation mark, if it's the prelude to something dramatic. 'What the hell! Let's go for it!'
Nb - my use of an exclamation mark at the end of the preceding sentence wasn't a deliberate illustration - it just seemed right.
[quote=kado]It doesn't; it adds to the character count.[/quote]
Quiet! = one word. Quiet ! = two words. Try it.
He's right, you know!