Period / Full Stop

by | Aug 1, 2024 | Punctuation Rules

Are you wondering what are the rules and usage of a period in English grammar?

A period is the most commonly used punctuation mark in English. It is also known as a full stop and comes at the end of a sentence. It is also used with abbreviations. However, it becomes challenging when the period is used in quotation marks and with abbreviations. 

In this article, you will learn what a period is, how to use it, and some examples of sentences showing the correct use of a period. 

What is a Period in English Grammar?

A period is a tiny dot placed at the end of a sentence. In British English, it is known as a full stop. In English grammar, it is also known as a terminal punctuation mark. There are three terminal punctuation marks used in English: a period, a question mark, and an exclamation point. 

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What is the purpose of a period/full stop?

A period is a punctuation mark that ends a sentence. A period is a terminal punctuation mark which is also known as full stop.

What does a period do?

In English grammar, a period or full stop serves two main purposes: to end a sentence and indicate an omission.

1. End a sentence

The primary purpose of a period is to finish the sentence. 

There are three punctuation marks that end a sentence: a period, a question mark, and an exclamation point. 

A period is used to end declarative sentences (statements). It is also used  to end imperative sentences (commands)

As mentioned earliear, a period has only one purpose and that is to end a sentence. There are four punctuation mrks that end a sentence. They are also know as terminal punctuation marks and they are; a period, a queestion mark, exa

2. Indicate an omission

The second purpose of using a period in Engish is to show that some information has been omitted or removed, such as letters in a word. 

  • etc.
  • i.e.
  • e.g.
  • c. 
  • et al.

periods are also used to initials when only first letter of a word or name is presented, such as H.G. Wells. 

Three periods together make a new punctuation mark called an ellipsis, which can indicate that some words or entire sentences have been omitted.

When should you use periods?

There are certain rules for using period of full stop in writing. We willl discuss these rule below.

1. Sentences

In English grammar, a period can not be placed at the end of any sentence. Specific sentences, which are declarative and imperative, must end with a period or full stop. 

A period is used at the end of a declarative and imperative sentence. 

A declarative sentence is a statement that describes, and an imperative sentence is a request or command.

Periods come at the end of declarative and imperative statements.

Declarative and imperative sentences are typically simple statements that communicate information without urgency. If spoken out loud, the speaker would use a neutral or calm voice without excessive emotion.

2. Indirect questions

Indirect questions are declarative sentences that describe a person asking a question indirectly. Because they are technically declarative statements and not interrogative sentences (questions), they use a period instead of a question mark.

Examples:

  • He asked what time it was.
  • She asked what was the color.
  • They questioned what happened

However, if the question is stated directly, use a question mark instead of a period.

Examples:

  • She asked, “What time is it?”
  • He asked, “Where do you work?”
  • The student asked, “What is the library?”

3. Abbreviations and initials

A period is also used in abbreviation or with intials. 

Examples:

  • Mr.
  • Mrs.
  • Dr.

Abbreviated months

  • Jan. 
  • Feb.
  • Mar.

Abbreviated months

  • Jan. 
  • Feb.
  • Mar.

4. Other uses

Periods are used in mathematics as a decimal point.

Examples:

  • English is not an easy language.
  • Don’t arrive late again.

Periods are also used in computing language to separate elements. 

Examples:

  • URL (example.com) 
  • setup.exe

How periods are used

1. Sentences

If a sentence is a declarative or imperative, place the period at the end of the sentence. and leave one space after the period to start a new sentence.

Examples:

  • English is not an easy language.
  • Don’t arrive late again.

If there is qoute that ends in a question mark or exclation mark, then no period is necessay.

Examples:

  • He asked, “Are you studying?”
  • She questioned, “Are you studying?”

If the sentence ends in a proper noun, that ends in a question mark or exclamation mark. no period is necessay.

Examples:

  • Adelina wanted to become a doctor after watching the anime Cells at Work!

Periods and Quotation Marks

Sometimes, it becomes confusing when we deal with two punctuation marks and don’t know which one comes first and which one comes second. These nearby punctuations create confusion for writers. 

In American English, the period goes inside the closing quotation mark at the end of a sentence.

Examples:

  • My mother loved to remind me of the old saying, “Waste not, want not.”
  • Philip said, “I can’t remember where I heard about the banjo concert, but I sure want to go.”

Periods and Parentheses

When a complete, independent sentence is entirely enclosed by parentheses, the period goes inside the closing parentheses.

Examples:

  • Charlie scarfed up every Cheeto that fell out of the bag. (I wasn’t fast enough to stop him.) At least we won’t have to sweep the floor. 

But, if the parenthetical material is nested inside another sentence, the period should go on the outside.

Examples:

  • Charlie barked wildly when he caught the scent of fresh bacon (his favorite).

Ellipses

An ellipsis is a punctuation mark in English writing that shows that some information has been omitted from the sentence. It looks like three dots in a row. or in other words three periods in a row.

Conclusion

A period or full stop is a punctuation mark that ends a sentence. In addition, a period is also used when certain information is omitted or with abbreviations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Period

What is a period symbol?

A period symbol is a punctuation mark that expresses the end of a sentence or an abbreviation. It looks like a tiny circle or dot at the bottom of a written line. 

How do you use a period in a sentence?

Periods are placed at the end of declarative sentences (statements) and imperative sentences (commands). They are also placed at the end of abbreviated words withing a sentence.

Do periods go in quotation marks?

In American English, periods are placed inside quotation marks, before the closing quotation mark.

I hope this article helped you learn what a period or full stop is in English punctuation, its usage, and its purpose.

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