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Today I was reviewing some code on GitHub, and end up with the following sentence/question:

So, are you using a context to update a record? That makes no sense.

I know that verbs and subjects are "swapped" when used in questions. What about affirmations with a question tone? Should it be written like this?

So, you are using a context to update a record? That makes no sense.
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    "Epiplexis is an interrogative figure of speech in which questions are asked in order to rebuke or reproach rather than to elicit answers" thoughtco.com/epiplexis-rhetoric-term-1690664 I think the distinction between those phrasings depends on how well the writer believes they've understood the intent of the code (first: uncertain; second: certain).
    – sxpmaths
    Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 10:43
  • those 2 sentences are the same
    – depperm
    Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 12:28
  • What exactly is "So, you are using a context to update a record? That makes no sense."? Are you implying that it is "sentence" or whatever? It's not grammatical, by the way.
    – Kris
    Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 14:25
  • It's a sentence or affirmation. It's the same as if you remove the question marks, but with a question tone.
    – Wikiti
    Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 16:01

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Yes, the way you have it written is correct.

I do not know the word for this form, but as @sxpmaths said, it carries an implication of rebuke, or incredulity. You could make it more explicit with a tag, for example:

So, you are using a context to update a record, are you?

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  • Could you please clarify which one is correct? First one or second one?
    – Wikiti
    Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 13:51
  • They are both correct English, but the second way is more like a challenge than a real request for information.
    – JeffSahol
    Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 14:07
  • They do not mean the same thing. Please also see my comment at the OP.
    – Kris
    Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 14:26

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