1

As regards !, wikipedia reads

The exclamation mark, !, or exclamation point (American English)

but it doesn't use a corresponding wording for ?:

The question mark ? (also known as interrogation point,

So my question is whether ! and ? are both called mark in British English and point in American English.

9
  • 1
    Wikipedia does use interrogation point.
    – fev
    Oct 3, 2022 at 9:14
  • Sure, but it doesn't make any reference to whether that's the America, British, or xyz variant.
    – Enlico
    Oct 3, 2022 at 9:27
  • 2
    I’ve never heard “point” in America for either ! or ? They’re both marks.
    – Jim
    Oct 3, 2022 at 9:45
  • 1
    @Jim: That's what I thought at first. But compare AmE usage (mostly "point"), and BrE usage (mostly "mark"). That was an unexpected US/UK usage split, to me. Oct 3, 2022 at 11:31
  • 1
    Adding to this (apparently opinion-based) thread: while this older AmE speaker has heard exclamation point more often than mark, I've never heard question point, ever
    – Jim Mack
    Oct 3, 2022 at 12:49

2 Answers 2

1

As Ngram shows, American English typically uses "exclamation point" but "question mark." British English, by contrast, uses "mark" in both cases.

0
-1

Someone said they never heard of exclamation point in America. That's funny because I was born here and have lived here for 60 years and it's always been called an exclamation point, all through school and college.

1
  • 2
    Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center.
    – Community Bot
    Sep 16 at 14:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.