What Is a Full Stop Punctuation?

What is a Full Stop?

A full stop, also known as a period, is denoted by a simple dot (.). Its primary function is to indicate the end of a sentence.

Unlike commas or semicolons, which separate clauses within a sentence, a full stop signals a complete thought. For instance:

• The sun sets in the west.

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

Full stops are crucial for indicating the completion of a statement, ensuring the reader knows when one thought ends and another begins.

When to Use a Full Stop

A full stop is used to end declarative sentences, which state a fact or opinion. For example:

• The sky is blue.

• She enjoys reading books.

It also ends indirect questions:

• He asked if you were coming.

• They wondered why it was raining.

Full stops are used in abbreviations to denote shortened forms of words:

• e.g., (for example)

• etc., (and so on)

• Dr. (Doctor)

Common Mistakes with Full Stops

Overusing full stops can make writing choppy and disjointed:

• Incorrect: She loves. Reading. Books.

• Correct: She loves reading books.

Underusing full stops can lead to run-on sentences, which are difficult to read:

• Incorrect: He went to the store he bought milk.

• Correct: He went to the store. He bought milk.

Incorrect placement within quotations and parentheses:

Full stops go inside quotation marks if the entire sentence is quoted:

• He said, "I'll be there soon."

Full stops go outside if only part of the sentence is quoted:

• He mentioned "the meeting starts at 9 a.m." and left.

Full stops within parentheses depend on whether the parenthesis is part of a larger sentence:

• The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (don't forget your notes).

• He was late. (He missed the bus.)

Avoid using full stops in titles and headings unless they are complete sentences:

• Incorrect: How to Bake a Cake.

• Correct: How to Bake a Cake

Full Stops in Different Contexts

In digital communication, full stops can affect tone. A full stop can make a message seem final or even stern:

• "I'll be there soon." (calm and definitive)

• "I'll be there soon" (informal and open-ended)

Full stops in formal and informal writing:

Formal: Full stops are used meticulously to ensure clarity and professionalism.

• "The board meeting will commence at 9 a.m."

Informal: Full stops can be used more flexibly.

• "See you later."

In academic writing and professional documents, precision and formality are key:

• "The experiment concluded at 5 p.m. Results were recorded promptly."

Practice Exercises

Correct these sentences:

Incorrect: she likes pizza he likes pasta

• Correct: She likes pizza. He likes pasta.

Incorrect: The meeting is at 10 am please be on time.

• Correct: The meeting is at 10 a.m. Please be on time.

Short Paragraphs to Punctuate: Punctuate the following:

Original: "John asked if Mary would join them at the park Mary said she would be there by 3 pm"

• Corrected: "John asked if Mary would join them at the park. Mary said she would be there by 3 p.m."

Original: "He didn’t know what to do he was completely lost"

• Corrected: "He didn’t know what to do. He was completely lost."

Interactive Quiz:

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:

• A) The dog barked. loudly.

• B) The dog barked loudly.

Identify the mistake:

• "I enjoy hiking reading and swimming"

• Correct: "I enjoy hiking, reading, and swimming."

Rewrite the following with correct punctuation:

• Original: "They visited Paris in April it was their first time"

• Corrected: "They visited Paris in April. It was their first time."