A question seeks information, while a request seeks action or permission. They differ primarily in their intent: a question aims to obtain knowledge, whereas a request aims to influence behavior.
Intent: The Key Differentiator
The fundamental difference lies in their purpose:
- Question: The primary goal of a question is to elicit an answer, fulfilling an information-seeking need (Halliday's Heuristic function of language).
- Request: The primary goal of a request is to prompt someone to do something or grant permission (Halliday's Regulatory function of language).
Characteristics Summarized
| Feature | Question | Request |
|---|---|---|
| Intent | To obtain information | To prompt action or grant permission |
| Expected Response | An answer (factual, opinion-based, etc.) | Compliance, agreement, or refusal |
| Form | Typically phrased with interrogative words (who, what, where, when, why, how) | Often uses polite phrasing (e.g., "Could you...?", "Please...") or imperative verbs. |
| Examples | "What time is it?" "Why did you do that?" | "Please close the door." "Can I borrow your pen?" |
Examples to Illustrate the Difference
-
Question: "Is it raining outside?" (Seeks confirmation or denial about the weather.)
-
Request: "Could you please bring me an umbrella?" (Seeks action – the act of bringing an umbrella.)
-
Question: "What is the capital of France?" (Seeks specific information – the name of a city.)
-
Request: "Can you help me with my French homework?" (Seeks assistance – the act of helping.)
Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical questions present a slight nuance. While technically questions, their purpose isn't to obtain information but rather to make a statement or emphasize a point. They function more like persuasive tools than genuine inquiries (similar to Marek and Braun's observation about exceptions in question types). For example, "Is water wet?" is a rhetorical question.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the core difference is intent. Questions are for seeking information and requests are for seeking action or permission. While there can be some overlap (like rhetorical questions), distinguishing between the two based on their primary goal provides a clear understanding of their distinct roles in communication.
