On Minor Groups of Questions - Rhetorical, Echo and Exclamatory

[AureliaeLacrimae]

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

The rhetorical question is interrogative in structure, but has the force of a strong assertion. The speaker does not expect an answer.

There are two main types of rhetorical questions:

I. yes-no questions

II. wh-questions

I. RHETORICAL YES-NO QUESTIONS

1. A positive rhetorical yes-no question is like a strong negative assertion: Is that a reason for despair? (Surely that is not a reason...), Can anyone doubt the wisdom of this action? (Surely no one can doubt...)

2. while a negative rhetorical yes-no question is like a strong positive one: Isn't the answer obvious? (Surely the answer is obvious.), Haven't you got anything better to do? (Surely you have sth better to do.)

II. RHETORICAL WH- QUESTIONS

1. The positive question is equivalent to a statement in which the wh-element is replaced by a negative element: Who knows/cares? (Nobody knows/cares.) or What difference does it make? (It makes no difference.)

2. The less common negative question is equivalent to a statement in which the wh-element is replaced by a positive element: Who doesn't know? (Everybody knows.)

ECHO QUESTIONS

Echo questions repeat part of all of what has been said.

1. someone seeks confirmation:

A: I'll pay for it. B: You'll what?

2. someone ask for clarification:

A: Anna fell. B: Who fell?

EXCLAMATORY QUESTIONS

The exclamatory question is interrogative in structure, but has the force of an exclamation. Typically it's a negative yes-no question with a final falling instead of rising tone: Hasn't she grown!