question (n.) (Q)

A term used in the classification of SENTENCE FUNCTIONS, typically used to elicit information or a response, and defined sometimes on GRAMMATICAL and sometimes on SEMANTIC or SOCIOLINGUISTIC grounds. SYNTACTICALLY, in English, a question is a SENTENCE with INVERSION of the SUBJECT and first VERB in the verb PHRASE (YES–NO QUESTIONS, such as Is he going?), commencing with a question word (WH-questions, such as Where is he?), or ending with a question TAG (e.g. He’s going, isn’t he?). Some would include the use of sentences with a rising INTONATION to be a class of question. Semantically, questions express a desire for more information, usually requesting a reply from the listener (exceptions include rhetorical questions (e.g. Isn’t that awful?)). The term is usually contrasted with three other major sentence functions: STATEMENT, COMMAND and EXCLAMATION. In grammatical discussion, questions are usually referred to as INTERROGATIVE in form. Sentences which contain a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE which is interrogative in form are sometimes called indirect questions (or embedded questions), as in They asked what they should do.