Please somebody educate me on my Grammar here (Placement of a Question mark in middle of sentence)

FrankFalcon

Hi all

Technically, this is moneysaving because I've had a pint bet (with my pal down the pub) on the placement of a question mark in a sentence such as this.  This is a bit light hearted and not supposed to come across as formal or serious.  I did have a quick browse on google but it's not 100% clear what the rules are when there's a question and then a statement directly after that question.  So, if you can help, please do.  If not...Thanks anyway...Merry Christmas...

So, I am asking mate if he is planning on going to any football matches over Christmas but I don't know where to put the Question mark.  Is the QM placed AFTER the actual question, like in my example below...

Hi mate, are you going to any matches over Christmas? because I've heard a few games might be called off because of the frozen pitch.

Or does it go at the end of the sentence such as the example below?

Hi mate, are you going to any matches over Christmas because I've heard a few games might be called off because of the frozen pitch?

What is the correct English language positioning of that question mark please?

Thanks all.

Desmond_Hume

Hi mate are you going to any matches over Christmas? I’ve heard a few games…

That’s how I’d write it. The “because” makes the sentence awkward. This may not be the correct technical answer, just my opinion. 

sammyjammy

You don't start a sentence with because, I'm with @Desmond_Hume

swingaloo

I would have the ? after Christmas. Then start the next part with 'I heard'.

You can start a sentence with the word 'because' but it is not needed in this instance.

baser999

Stick it at the end, although wonder whether it would then be needed at all since it’s not such a direct question

Eldi_Dos

The use of mate in correspondence would grate with me more than anything.

FrankFalcon

Eldi_Dos said:

The use of mate in correspondence would grate with me more than anything.

Why? He is my mate and I am messaging him

Eldi_Dos

FrankFalcon said:

Eldi_Dos said:

The use of mate in correspondence would grate with me more than anything.

Why? He is my mate and I am messaging him

Does he not have a name?

baser999

Eldi_Dos said:

FrankFalcon said:

Eldi_Dos said:

The use of mate in correspondence would grate with me more than anything.

Why? He is my mate and I am messaging him

Does he not have a name?

Would that affect where any question mark goes? 

Eldi_Dos

With it relating to Christmas it is questionable if that would be an ecumenical matter.

theoretica

This seems like a case where spoken English is different from correctly written English.  In speaking, you would probably raise your voice in tone on Christmas, putting the question mark there, and not care about starting a sentence with 'because'.  But as pointed out, the wording would probably be changed a little to make it two written sentences.