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Which do you prefer? Apples or oranges?

Which do you prefer, apples or oranges?

Which do you prefer—apples or oranges?

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    Don't forget colon. "Which do you prefer: apples or oranges?" :p
    – Digital Chris
    Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 20:01

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All are acceptable. The main difference is in how they affect sentence flow, which can have an impact on the feel of your writing. Generally, the comma would affect flow the least (i.e., it has the least amount of "slowing" power) and the question mark would affect it the most, with the em dash lying somewhere in between.

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    Fine answer. Fine distinctions.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 20:06
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The first is not strictly grammatical since 'Apples or oranges?', will not stand alone as a sentence (it has no verb), let alone as a question.

The second and third examples are, in my view, correct and equally acceptable.

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    It is strictly grammatical, as it will stand alone as a meaningful sentence fragment. People who insist on sentences should fine themselves a pint every time they answer 'Yes', 'The blue one', 'On the table', 'Thanks', or volunteer 'Hello', 'Good evening', 'Coffee?' ... They'd soon re-consider their dogmas.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 20:03
  • If I recall correctly, the question mark version was one of the preferred ways to write this sort of question a few decades ago.
    – B. Szonye
    Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 22:49

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