Echo questions repeat all or part of a sentence or question. They are often used when the hearer wishes to verify that the entire utterance was understood. Echo questions can also be used to express surprise and to probe for more information.
Here are examples of echo questions in conversation:
We're flying to Hawaii.
You're flying to Hawaii?
They're coming at six.
They're coming at six?
Paula wants to eat duck.
Paula wants to eat what?
Do you understand me?
Do I understand you?
Wendy needs to go home.
Who needs to go gome?
I have a headache.
A headache?
Echo questions are very common in conversation. They echo all or part of a previous utterance. In many cases echo questions are used to confirm or verify information.
Friday, January 6, 2017
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