A full stop is a punctuation mark used to denote the end of a sentence. In American English, it is also referred to as a period. It is one of the most often used punctuation marks, and efficient communication depends on using it correctly. To help you understand when to use or not to use a full stop, consider the following simple examples:
End of a Statement
- Use a full stop at the end of a declarative sentence that makes a statement or conveys information.
- Example: “The sun is shining.”
End of a Command
- Use a full stop at the end of an imperative sentence that gives a command or makes a request.
- Example: “Close the door.”
End of an Abbreviation
- A full stop is used at the end of an abbreviation, except when the last letter of the abbreviation is the same as the unabbreviated word’s last letter.
Examples:
- “Dr. Smith will see you now.” (Doctor)
- “Jan. is a cold month.” (January)
End of an Indirect Question
- A full stop is used at the end of a sentence that includes an indirect question.
- Example: “She asked if he was coming.”
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End of an Exclamatory Sentence
- In certain cases, a full stop is used at the end of an exclamatory sentence when it does not end with an exclamation mark.
- Example: “What a beautiful day.”
End of a Sentence within Parentheses or Brackets
- A full stop is used within parentheses or brackets if the enclosed text forms a complete sentence.
- Example: “His first try (the one he attempted last week) was successful.”
Usage of Full stop
In American vs. British English
Although there are certain differences in some circumstances, including the usage of specific acronyms, full stops, or periods, they are generally used in the same ways in both British and American English. Here are a few noteworthy variations:
- Abbreviations:
- In American English, some abbreviations may omit the full stop, such as “Mr” for “Mister,” “Dr” for “Doctor,” and “St” for “Street.”
- In British English, these abbreviations are often followed by a full stop, such as “Mr.” for “Mister,” “Dr.” for “Doctor,” and “St.” for “Street.”
- Titles and Abbreviations:
- In British English, titles like “Mr,” “Mrs,” and “Dr” are usually followed by a full stop. In American English, these titles typically do not have a full stop.
- For certain other abbreviations, such as “etc.” (et cetera) and “e.g.” (exempli gratia), the usage tends to be consistent across both varieties.
- Punctuation in Quotations:
- In British English, the full stop is usually placed outside the quotation marks if it is not part of the quoted material. For example: She said, “I’ll be there”.
- In American English, the full stop is typically placed inside the quotation marks, even if it is not part of the quoted material. For example: She said, “I’ll be there.”
- Date Format:
- In British English, the date format often uses the day followed by the month and then the year, with the day and month separated by a full stop. For example: 12.01.2023 (12th January 2023).
- In American English, the date format generally uses the month followed by the day and then the year, with the elements separated by slashes or hyphens. For example: 01/12/2023 or 01-12-2023 (January 12, 2023).
When to Use a Full Stop
A full stop (or period) is used in various contexts in written language. Here are some common situations in which you should use a full stop:
- End of a Sentence: A full stop is used at the end of a declarative sentence that makes a statement, an imperative sentence that gives a command, or an exclamatory sentence that expresses strong emotion. Example:
- Declarative sentence: “The cat is on the mat.”
- Imperative sentence: “Please close the door.”
- Exclamatory sentence: “What a beautiful day!”
- Abbreviations: A full stop is used at the end of most abbreviations, indicating that letters have been omitted from a word. Example: “Dr. Smith will see you now.”
- Initials in a Name: A full stop is used between the initials of a name when each letter stands for a separate word. Example: “J. R. R. Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings.”
- Numbers and decimals: A full stop is used in decimal numbers to separate the whole number from the fractional part. Example: “The answer is 3.14.”
- Website URLs: In web addresses, a full stop is used to separate different parts of the URL. Example: “www.example.com“
It’s important to note that a full stop is not used in the following cases:
- In titles like “Mr” or “Mrs” in American English (but “Mr.” or “Mrs.” in British English).
- In the middle of an ellipsis, three dots are used without spaces (…) to indicate omitted text.
When Not to Use a Full Stop
While a full stop (period) is commonly used in writing, there are specific instances where it is not appropriate to use one. Here are some situations where you should not use a full stop:
- In Place of Other Punctuation Marks: A full stop should not be used in place of other punctuation marks that serve different purposes, such as commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation marks, or question marks.Example: Incorrect usage: “I was happy. However, the news was surprising.” (Use a comma or semicolon instead of the full stop after “happy.”)
- In Abbreviations Without Omitted Letters: Some abbreviations, especially acronyms, do not require a full stop because they do not involve the omission of letters. Examples include “NASA,” “FBI,” and “UNICEF.”Example: Correct usage: “UNICEF works for children’s rights worldwide.”
- In Ellipses (…) Without a Full Stop: An ellipsis is a punctuation mark used to indicate the omission of words. It consists of three dots without any spaces between them. A full stop should not be added at the end of an ellipsis.Example: Correct usage: “The committee decided to meet tomorrow… to discuss the budget.”
- Within Numbers or Dates (in Some Cases): In some numerical formats, such as in a four-digit year or in a time format, a full stop may not be used. For example, “2023” or “10:30” would not include a full stop.Example: Correct usage: “The event is scheduled for 2023.”
Common Mistakes with Full Stops
Several common mistakes related to the use of full stops (periods) can impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. It’s crucial to be aware of these errors to maintain proper punctuation. Some common mistakes include:
- Failing to Use a Full Stop at the End of a Sentence: Neglecting to use a full stop at the end of a sentence can lead to run-on sentences or confusing sentence structures. Incorrect example: “She went to the store but she forgot to buy milk”
- Using a Full Stop in Abbreviations That Don’t Require Them: Some abbreviations, especially acronyms, do not need a full stop, and adding one can be considered incorrect. Incorrect example: “He works for U.S.A.”
- Placing a Full Stop Inside Quotation Marks Incorrectly: In some contexts, the full stop should be placed outside the quotation marks, but incorrect placement can lead to confusion. Incorrect example: “She said, ‘I will be there’.”
- Overusing Full Stops in Place of Commas or Semicolons: Using a full stop where a comma or semicolon is more appropriate can lead to choppy or fragmented sentences. Incorrect example: “The weather was cold. I wore a jacket.”
- Using Full Stops within Ellipses Incorrectly: Full stops should not be used within an ellipsis, as the three dots themselves serve as the punctuation. Incorrect example: “She hesitated at the door…. and then entered.”
- Incorrect Usage in Numbers and Dates: Misplacing full stops in numbers or dates can lead to misunderstandings and inaccuracies. Incorrect example: “The event is scheduled for 2.023.”
Examples of Using Periods in Sentences
Here are some examples that demonstrate the use of periods (full stops) in sentences:
- Declarative Sentences (Statements):
- “She enjoys reading novels.”
- “The train arrived at the station on time.”
- Imperative Sentences (Commands):
- “Please turn off the lights.”
- “Complete the assignment by tomorrow.”
- Exclamatory Sentences (Expressions of Strong Emotion):
- “What a beautiful sunset!”
- “I can’t believe we won!”
- Abbreviations:
- “Prof. Johnson is teaching the class.”
- “The event is sponsored by the Dept. of Education.”
- Initials in a Name:
- “J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series.”
- “The painting was created by P.P. Rubens.”
- In Numbers and Dates:
- “The meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2023.”
- “The cost of the item is $25.50.”
- In Web Addresses (URLs):
- “Visit us at www.vocabularybay.com.”
- “The article can be found at https://vocabularybay.com/“
30 Example Sentences of Periods
Here are 30 example sentences that demonstrate the use of periods (full stops):
- The sun is shining.
- She ran to catch the bus.
- He enjoys playing the piano.
- The cat is sleeping peacefully.
- Please close the window.
- What a beautiful day!
- The book is on the shelf.
- The dog barked loudly.
- The children are laughing.
- She loves to swim.
- The flowers are blooming.
- The stars twinkle at night.
- He rode his bike to school.
- The birds are singing.
- The cake tastes delicious.
- The rain is falling gently.
- The baby is sleeping.
- The waves crash on the shore.
- She dances gracefully.
- The tree is swaying in the wind.
- The snow is glistening.
- They are having a picnic.
- The plane flew overhead.
- The city lights are bright.
- The students are studying.
- The coffee smells wonderful.
- The fire crackles softly.
- The car drives smoothly.
- The wind howls at night.
- The clock ticks quietly.
