Is there a word or term to describe a statement that implies a question so sufficiently that the question is not actually included?


I have often noticed people who make statements, actually ending with a question mark when written, but where there is no actual question asked.


The question is implied sufficiently enough in the context of the statement, and/or the previous statement that the question portion can be omitted. Some examples:



Sandra: I'm not walking to the theatre as I didn't bring a jacket.
Julie: I have a spare jacket?



In the above, it is clear that Julie is asking "would you like to borrow my spare jacket so that we can walk to the theatre".



Paul: We aren't going to Pizza Hut at lunch as it's too far to walk in an hour.
Dave: I have my car today?



Again, it is clear that Dave is offering to drive and asking if that is an option.


Is there a term to describe this?



Answer



Wikipedia uses the term declarative questions, splicing form and function:


Languages may use both syntax and prosody to distinguish interrogative sentences (which pose questions) from declarative sentences (which state propositions). Syntax refers to grammatical changes, such as moving words around or adding question words; prosody refers here to changes in intonation while speaking.


...


Intonation patterns characteristic of questions often involve a raised pitch near the end of the sentence. In English this occurs especially for yes–no questions; it may also be used for sentences that do not have the grammatical form of questions, but are nonetheless intended to elicit information (declarative questions), as in "You're not using this?"


...


The use of intonation to mark yes–no questions is often combined with the grammatical question marking described in the previous section. For example, in the English sentence "Are you coming?", rising intonation would be expected in addition to the inversion of subject and verb. However it is also possible to indicate a question by intonation alone. For example:


You're coming. (statement, typically spoken with falling intonation) You're coming? (question, typically spoken with rising intonation)


A question like this, which has the same form (except for intonation) as a declarative sentence, is called a declarative question.


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