This article is part of the Grammar Goblin’s Content Writing Basics Series. Look out for other articles in the series for more tips on how to write awesome content for your business!
There comes a point in every relationship between a writer and a sentence when things simply have to be ended. It may not be easy to call it quits, and you may not always know how to do it, but it is something that must be done. Learning the best way to end a sentence can make your writing work much simpler. We’ve made the information as clear as possible for you, so let’s get started.
There are three basic ways to end a sentence. The full stop or period is the most commonly used punctuation point to end a sentence. It closes sentences that are regular. Exclamation points finish off sentences that are exclamatory or shouting. Question marks end sentences that pose a question.
If you sometimes find yourself caught between a dash and a colon or five exclamation points and a full stop, this article is for you. We have simplified the rules for ending off sentences for you, freeing up time, space, and energy for you to see other… erm… writing elements, like style and flow. Read on to learn the three basic ways to end your sentences.
The Three Basic Ways To End A Sentence
When it comes down to it, there are actually not that many ways to bring a sentence to a close. There are only three main punctuation points you can use, and having so few options can work in your favour: Having only a few options to choose from as you write means you will be more likely to know which one to go for.
The three primary ways to end off a sentence are:
- The full stop (or period, if you are in the United States)
- The question mark
- The exclamation mark
Let’s have a look at all three of these punctuation points and see where you should use them for the best results.
1. The Full Stop (Period)
Full stops are the most commonly used way to end a sentence. They may seem like a simple dot, but this humble punctuation point is possibly the hardest working of them all.
Use a full stop at the end of a thought. Try to keep your sentences fairly short, especially if you are writing for the web. Since most people read content on mobile devices, short sentences are easiest to see on mobile-optimized sites.
Full stops are used to end sentences and are followed by a capital letter to begin the next sentence. To read more about where to use capital letters, be sure to read our informative article on them here.
The full stop is known as a period in the United States. The term actually originates from the Greek term periodos. It was invented by Aristophanes of Byzantium and was originally a high dot that showed the end of a sentence.
Over the years, the high dot was replaced by the low one we know and love today. For some reason, Americans chose to use the term “period” to describe the dot that ends sentences, while the British went with “full stop.”
Both terms mean the same thing, and the full stop is our favorite hard-working sentence-ender.
Did you know that you can use the full stop in other places too? Here are some of the other ways you can use these awesome punctuation points:
- After abbreviations. E.G., etc., prof.
- After initials. E.G., U.K., H.G. Wells
- At the end of indirect questions. E.G., “I wondered why you were so grumpy today. “
- At the end of a command. E.G., “Please collect the file.”
- In website addresses. E.G., www.grammargoblin.co.za
If your sentence is not a question or an exclamation (shout), it is highly likely you should use a full stop to bring it to a tidy close.
2. The Question Mark
Question marks are the perfect way to show your reader that you are asking a question.
Whether you are asking a real question for them to answer or a rhetorical one to get them thinking, use a question mark at the end of any sentence that asks a question in a direct way.
In the previous section on full stops, we mentioned that indirect question sentences end with a full stop. That means that only direct questions are closed with a question mark.
Here are a few examples:
Where are you going today?
How did you find the speaker?
What is the ETA on that, please?
3. The Exclamation Mark
The exclamation mark is the loud cousin of the punctuation family. It is used at the end of a highly emotional statement and lets the reader know to add emphasis to the sentence.
The kinds of emotions that an exclamation mark might demonstrate include the following:
- Delight
- Anger
- Surprise
- Excitement
- Fear
- Shock
- Frustration
Exclamation marks can be used after an interjection. An interjection is one word that can stand alone as an entire sentence. They can be words like:
- Wow!
- Help!
- Ouch!
- Woohoo!
- No!
If you are writing in a professional capacity, be careful of adding too many exclamation points to your content. Just like the loud cousin that can become a little overbearing at family gatherings, too many exclamation points can begin to look a little spammy or childish in a professional setting.
Here are some examples of exclamation mark use gone wrong:
- Come on in!!!!!!!!!!! We have everything you need!!!!!!!!!!!
- Offer for today only!!!!!!!!!
- Super Sale!!!!!!!!!
Instead of being too heavy-handed, use these punctuation points with care, and when you do, they will make the right kind of impact.
Bonus: How To Know Your Punctuation Style
Since this article is all about content writing basics, we thought we would give you a brief explanation of how to know your punctuation style.
Every business and individual is different, and with our unique styles come our unique ways of communicating. As you communicate with your audience and clients online and in person, pay attention to your style and voice.
Your brand voice should represent your business at all times. You can decide on your brand voice early on in the design of the business and let it evolve as you and your business change and grow.
It is vital to know how you want to come across to those reading your content since written content is the lasting impression you make on your current and future clients.
Part of your brand voice is your punctuation style. Knowing how you want to be taken will impact how you punctuate your content.
If your brand is serious, professional, and corporate, it is best to steer clear of exclamation points as much as possible. Stick to using full stops and occasional question marks to end your sentences.
If your brand is quirky, young, fun, and colorful, you might opt for a more fluid punctuation style. In this case, feel free to use more exclamation marks where necessary.
Knowing your punctuation style comes down to knowing your brand, your target market, and your brand voice. Keep all your communication within the same voice and grammatical outline to help your audience gain trust in your brand.
Conclusion
There are three main ways to end a sentence. Use a full stop to end regular sentences or indirect questions. Use a question mark to end question sentences and an exclamation mark to end a statement that is bursting with emotion. Use exclamation marks sparingly if you are writing in a professional capacity.
