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Adding a question mark to the end of a "How to" or "Where to" sentence appears to be quite common. Here are two examples from this very site: How to punctuate a list of questions? (link) Where to put the periods when using a parenthetical sentence? (link) In my mind, the question mark doesn't belong at all, and it bothers me. Am I being unreasonable? Is this practice defensible? |
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The sentences would be properly phrased in prose as follows:
[D]o i can be alternatively phrased as does one, if formality or third-person point of view is required. The examples you gave would be more suited to the title of a how-to guide, such as:
In other words, the article that follows would instruct one on punctuating a list of questions. This form is not for a question, but instead for a title, and thus should not be punctuated at all. |
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I have always thought of how to do x? as short for something like how [is one] to do x?, where the question mark is necessary. |
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I'll give a shot at answering my own question. The obvious correct alternatives are not entirely satisfying.
This comes across as too formal for many people.
This is too personal, perhaps selfish sounding.
This sounds like it's asking for opinions rather than established usage. (On this site you'd get a warning about a subjective question.)
This sounds like an introduction to a guide. So the problem is probably that using one has become too formal and nothing has reliably taken its place. Perhaps a better alternative would be to rephrase the question:
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