Overview
Complete sentences have end punctuation depending on their meaning. Most sentences have periods, but some have question marks, and others have exclamation points.
Types of Sentences
Generally, there are four types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Declarative sentences make a point or present facts or opinions. Interrogative sentences ask direct questions. Imperative sentences give orders or make requests. Exclamatory sentences create emphasis or present strong emotion. The type of punctuation used depends upon the type of sentence and what is being conveyed.
The Period
The period is the most common end mark. It is used at the end of a declarative sentence, and does not convey strong emotion. If a question is indirect, a period is also used. The sentence “She asked why the door was left open” would end with a period if it stood alone. Periods are also used after abbreviations that stand for single words, such as the months, days of the week, or words such as Inc., Co., or Ltd. A period is used as a decimal point before a decimal, as in 3.1416 or .005. However, when an abbreviation with a period ends a sentence, only one period is necessary to end the sentence. The library is open from 7 A.M. to 11 P.M. Send the letter to Horizon Air, Inc.
The Question Mark
Most interrogative sentences end with question marks, if the question is direct. Why was the door left open? Where did you leave the book? Who is going on the bus? What is the meaning of this? When are you going on vacation? How will you know? Also, if a direct question is in a quotation, the question mark is within the quotation marks. For example, Steve asked, “Has anyone seen the movie?”
The Exclamation Point
Imperative sentences that give strong orders or exclamatory sentences that present strong emotion end with exclamation points. Leave the room! Keep off the grass! Danger! Poison! Oh, no, you don’t! Evacuate the building! Exclamation points are best used sparingly for emphasis.
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