Period
Let's discuss the period, also known as the full stop. This tiny dot is something you use every day but rarely think about. However, it quietly guides your thoughts when you write or display them on a screen.
What Does the Period Do?
Imagine you are telling a story to a friend. You pause between sentences, correct? That pause is exactly what the period provides for your writing. It marks the end of a thought, allows the reader to breathe, and prepares the reader for what follows. Without periods, words would be jumbled and difficult to understand.
Most sentences end with a period. If you say, "The cat is sleeping," you add that little dot at the end to show you've finished the idea. It is the most common punctuation mark you will use. In fact, periods make up nearly half of all punctuation marks in English writing.
Main Places You'll See It
Declarative sentence: "It's raining outside." You are stating a fact or giving information.
Commands: "Close the door." Simple instructions include a full stop at the end.
After abbreviations, such as "Dr. Banerjee," "etc.," or "p.m.," a period is used to show that the words were shortened.
In web addresses or emails, like "www.writelab.online" or "info@company.com," a period is not used at the end.
However, you do not place a full stop at the end of a question ("What time is dinner?") or an exclamation ("Wow!"). For these, you must use the appropriate punctuation.
Some Handy Rules
Always capitalize the first word after a period. It signals a new idea.
Leave a space after the period before starting the next sentence ("He slept. She read.").
Never accidentally add two periods at the end. One is enough.
Most headlines and titles do not have periods.
Quotes and parentheses can be tricky. If your quote ends the sentence, put the period inside the closing quotation marks ("I'm ready."). If ending a sentence with a parenthesis, the period usually goes after the parenthesis unless the entire sentence is within it.
Creating a Natural Writing Flow: Using Periods
They prevent sentences from crashing into each other and help shape your ideas. Read your writing aloud, pausing at each period. This way, your reader can follow along easily without getting lost or overwhelmed.
Common Mistakes with Periods
People sometimes forget to use periods, especially when rushing. Missing periods make your writing look sloppy and can confuse readers. It is incorrect to end a question with a period ("What is your name?"). Use a question mark instead.
Another common mistake is doubling periods ("I bought bread…") or skipping them in abbreviations (writing "Dr" instead of "Dr." depending on style, but American English usually keeps the period).
Why Should You Care?
The period may be small, but it plays an important role. It keeps your writing clear, understandable, and professional. Whether you're writing a text or a report, mastering the period makes every sentence count. So next time you finish a sentence, take a moment to add that dot. It’s the simplest way to improve your writing, and your readers will thank you.