Today is our topic of discussion – Terminal Punctuations
Terminal Punctuations
Terminal Punctuations
The period, full stop or point (.)
The period (known as a full stop in British English) is probably the simplest punctuation mark amongst all. It functions to stop the sentence with meaning. It is to put at the end of a sentence for a logical and complete thought that looks like appropriate.
Full stop sits at the end of a sentence when it is not a question but an explanation or statement.
Examples:
- Rome is the capital of Italy.
- I was born in Australia and now live in Indonesia.
- The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
Indication to abbreviations
Many abbreviations require a period or full stop. Dr. Mr. Mrs, and Ms do not take a period in British English. But most of the abbreviations are formed with capital letters such as MA, CIA. BBA and some are formed as first letter of capitalization like Phd, B.Sc etc.
Examples:
- I will arrive between 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- We are coming on Fri., Jan. 4.
Period after a single word
Sometimes a single word can form a sentence. In this case, if you place a full stop after the word it may convey a complete meaning as a complete sentence. That particular single word can be understood as a complete meaning like greeting or command. As examples:
- “Goodbye.”
- “Stop.”
- “Don’t!”
Periods in numbers
In English numbers, periods are used to separate the whole number to decimal. A period used in a number is also called a “decimal point” and it is known as “point” until it refers to money.
Examples:
- $10.43 = ten dollars and 43 cents
- 14.17 fourteen point one seven
Question mark (?)
Using question mark while writing direct questions as follows:
- How are you?
- Where can I bargain for a good laptop?
- What did you think of this movie?
Do not use question marks while writing indirect questions as follows:
a) (i) The coach asked the quarterback to sit on the bench. (correct)
(ii) The coach asked the quarterback to sit on the bench? (incorrect)
b) (i) I asked my brother if I could borrow fifty dollar. (correct)
(ii) I asked my brother if I could borrow fifty dollar? (incorrect)
Use question marks while writing rhetorical questions, even though no answers are expected. ?
- How will the World Series turn out, after all is said and done
- Who is really to blame for the world’s problems?
While writing a question that concludes with an abbreviation, ends with a period as an usual and then add a question mark. Do not put a space between the period and the question mark.
- Weren’t we supposed to head toward Washington, D.C.?
Exclamation mark (!)
Using exclamation mark to the end as an expression of strong feelings.
Examples:
- Wow! Sakib is splendid!
- Do not you dare to say that!
- Damn! What a mess!
- We won!
- We lost!
