English
What is a full stop and when do you use one?
Quick answer
A full stop (called a period in the US) is the dot that ends a sentence that is a statement or a calm command. It tells the reader the idea is finished.
In one sentence
A full stop is a small dot placed at the end of a sentence to show that it is finished.
Explained
When you read aloud, a full stop is where your voice drops and you take a short breath. In writing it does the same job: it tells the reader one complete idea has ended and another is about to start. The next word then begins with a capital letter.
The name changes by country. In the UK, Nigeria, India and Australia it is usually called a full stop. In the US and Canada it is a period. The mark is identical.
Use a full stop at the end of:
- statements: The library is closed today.
- commands that are not shouted: Please close the gate.
Other sentences end differently. Questions need a question mark and strong feelings may need an exclamation mark. You never use two end marks together: Are you ready?. is wrong.
The same dot has a few other jobs. In maths it is a decimal point (2.5). In web addresses it separates parts (crayonbird.com). Three dots in a row make an ellipsis (...), which shows something left out or trailing off. Some abbreviations use one too: Americans write Mr. and Dr., while British writers usually write Mr and Dr without the dot.
Examples
- The match starts at four.
- My sister plays the trumpet. She practises every day.
- Turn left at the bakery.
- We need eggs, flour and milk.
Fixing a run-on: We went to the park it was raining → We went to the park. It was raining.
pencil
notebook
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Common mistakes
- No full stops at all, so one "sentence" fills a whole page. Read it aloud and mark each breath.
- Using a comma instead. It was late, we went home needs a full stop (or so) in the middle.
- A full stop after a question. Where is my bag. should be Where is my bag?
- Lowercase after a full stop. Every new sentence needs a capital.
Quick quiz
Full stops
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Question 1 of 4
What is a full stop called in the US?
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Related topics
Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense on its own. It starts with a capital letter, ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark, and usually has a verb.
Capital letters
Use a capital letter at the start of every sentence, for names (proper nouns), for the word I, and at the start of direct speech and most titles.
Question marks
A question mark (?) goes at the end of a sentence that asks a direct question, like Where are my shoes? It replaces the full stop.
Commas
A comma is a punctuation mark that shows a short pause or separates parts of a sentence, such as items in a list, a fronted adverbial, or extra information.
Adjectives
An adjective is a word that describes a noun, telling you what kind, which one or how many, like a huge elephant, a sour lemon or three red balloons.
Adverbs
An adverb gives more information about a verb, adjective or another adverb, telling how, when, where or how often, like slowly, tomorrow, outside or always.