End Punctuation

1. End Punctuation Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Points Pasco-Hernando Community College Tutorial Series

2. End Punctuation • End punctuation is punctuation at the end of a sentence. End punctuation is also called end stop punctuation since it stops the sentence. There are three types of end punctuation: • periods • question marks • exclamation points

3. Periods • People generally know that they have to put a period at the end of a sentence.  However, sometimes it’s hard to tell where the sentence ends, particularly when the thoughts in the sentences are related.

4. Errors with Comma Splices • A comma splice is where two sentences have a comma between them: • Incorrect: In order to strengthen a sprained ankle, the girl exercised in the gym daily, however, her ankle remained weak. • These are actually two sentences and should have a period between them.  • Corrected:  In order to strengthen a sprained ankle, the girl exercised in the gym daily. However, her ankle remained weak.

5. Errors with Comma Splices • For closely related sentences such as these, a semi-colon could also be used between the sentences. • Also Correct:   In order to strengthen a sprained ankle, the girl exercised in the gym daily; however, her ankle remained weak. • Although semi-colons separate words group that can stand alone as sentences (independent clauses), semicolons are not considered end punctuation since they are used within a sentence, not to end a sentence.

6. Errors with Fused Run-Ons • Similarly, sometimes there is no punctuation between two sentences. This is called a fused run-on. • Incorrect:   In order to strengthen a sprained ankle, the girl exercised in the gym daily however, her ankle remained weak. • There must be a period or a semi-colon separating the sentences. • Semicolons should not be used frequently. They should be used only when the sentences are so closely related they seem to be in one sentence.

7. Errors with Extra Periods • Sometimes, periods are inserted into the middle of a sentence where they don’t belong. • Incorrect:   In order to strengthen a sprained ankle, the girl exercised daily.  But the ankle remained weak. • The period does not belong there since the words following the period are not a sentence and are part of the previous sentence. • Corrected:   In order to strengthen a sprained ankle, the girl exercised daily, but the ankle remained weak.

8. Errors with Extra Periods • Here’s another example how determining the end of a sentence can sometimes be confusing. • Incorrect:   She went to the store, then, she went to the gym. • These are two sentences separated by a comma just as with the previous example. • Words such as however, then, and now are sometimes in the middle of a sentence and sometimes at the beginning of a sentence. • Corrected:    She went to the store, then to the gym. • Now, since these are no longer two sentences, there is no need for a period.

9. Periods with Abbreviations • Periods are also used in some abbreviations. When an abbreviation which has a period is used at the end of a sentence, don’t use a period to end the sentence.  There should not be a double period at the end of a sentence. • I asked her to come at 10 a.m.

10. Periods with Quotation Marks • When there is a period next to an end quotation mark, the period goes before the end quotation mark, not after it. • "The explorers were stranded in the most unbearable conditions."  See how the period is before the end quotation mark.

11. Periods with Parenthetical Documentation • Parenthetical documentation is documentation or citing or the source in parentheses.  When there is parenthetical documentation at the end of the sentence, the period goes only after the parentheses.  The parenthetical documentation is part of the sentence. • "The explorers were stranded in the most unbearable conditions" (Chu). See how the period goes only after the parentheses.

12. Question Marks • Question marks are used at the end of questions.  When there is a question mark, there should not also be a period since the question mark is the end punctuation. • When there is a quote, if the quote is a question, then the question mark goes inside the quotation marks: • He asked, “Who is going?”

13. Quotation Marks • Sometimes, there is a question about whether a sentence contains a direct question. • He asked about who is going. • With this phrasing, there is no direct question.  It is an indirect question.

14. Quotation Marks • Question marks can also be used for rhetorical questions – questions used for persuasion. • The earth has been gradually warming since the end of the last Ice Age.  Are humans really speeding up this warming trend or is it just part of the natural process?

15. Exclamation Points • An exclamation point is used to show strong emphasis or importance. • “Put down the box!” the woman yelled.

16. Exclamation Points • Exclamation points are rarely used in research writing.  When it is used in a direct quote, only one exclamation point is used.  Don’t add additional exclamation points to be more emphatic. • Incorrect: • Stop!! • Correct: • Stop!