When Not to Use a Period (Full stop)

The best way to know when NOT to use a period is to understand when to use it. This is an important punctuation mark indicating the end of an entire thought or sentence. You wouldn’t use it to indicate a question, break up a sentence or make a list. These require other punctuation marks.

Defining a Full Stop/Period

A full stop period (.) is a punctuation mark that shows the reader the end of a complete thought. Sometimes this can be phrases, but it’s mostly for whole sentences. They are also appropriate for abbreviations and initials.

Samples of Incorrect Use of a Period

The following samples will show the correct and incorrect ways to use a period. It’s pretty straightforward, as you will soon see. But if you can remember these little rules, it will be much easier as you go along.

Questions

Never use a period to ask a question or make an inquiry:

Correct: Did you see that cat?
Incorrect: Did you see that cat.

Breaking Up Sentences

There’s a difference between ending a phrase and then breaking up a sentence with a period.

Correct: Understanding and kindness.
Incorrect: The world needs. Understanding and kindness.

To make the incorrect sentence better:

Understanding and kindness are what the world needs. (no punctuation)

Here’s what the world needs: understanding and kindness. (colon)

In regards to the world, it needs understanding and kindness. (comma)

Understanding and kindness; such things are what the world needs. (semicolon)

Listing Items

When listing items use a colon (:) or Em-space (–).

Here’s the shopping list: eggs, bananas, bread, milk and flour.

Here’s the shopping list – eggs, bananas, bread, milk and flour.

However, you can make it vertical too. But, only use a period after each list item when they create a full sentence.

Shopping List:

Eggs
Bananas
Bread
Milk
Flour
OR

To-Do List:

Get grandma at 9 A.M.
Go to the grocery store.
Call Mr. Smith.
Salon appointment at 3 P.M.

Note the last example of the to-do list. There are two periods in the abbreviations for morning (A.M.) or evening (P.M.) However, periods also abbreviate things like titles, prefixes, initials and others.

Conclusion

Using a period is simple and basic. You use it to indicate a full sentence, an idea, or as an indicator for abbreviation. All other ways will likely be wrong.

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Conor

Conor is the main writer here at One Minute English and was an English teacher for 10 years. He is interested in helping people with their English skills and learning about using A.I tools at work.