Period and Full Stop Rules | How to Use Periods in English | Punctuation and Writing Essentials

Summary

In this video from Sparkle English, you'll learn how to correctly use periods (full stops) in English writing. The tutorial covers the basic and advanced rules for period placement in declarative sentences, imperative sentences, indirect questions, abbreviations, and with quotation marks and parentheses. Examples and common mistakes are provided to ensure clarity. Viewers are encouraged to practice and test their understanding with a quiz at the end. The video is part of the English Writing Essentials series, aimed at helping improve your writing skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is part of the 'English Writing Essential Series' aimed at teaching English writing skills.
• 📚 The main focus of the lesson is on the correct use of periods and full stops in English sentences.
• ✍️ A period, also known as a full stop in British English, is used to end declarative sentences, which are statements.
• 🤔 The difference between declarative and interrogative sentences is highlighted, with the latter ending in a question mark.
• 📝 Period placement is crucial; it should directly follow the last word of a sentence without a space in between.
• 🔄 The shift from using two spaces after a period in typewriters to one space in modern writing is mentioned.
• 📜 Periods are also used at the end of imperative sentences, which are instructions or commands.
• ❗️ Exclamation marks are used to express strong emotion, whereas periods are standard for commands.
• 🙅‍♂️ Indirect questions, which are not direct inquiries, end with a period instead of a question mark.
• 🚫 When a sentence ends with an abbreviation that already has a period, an additional period should not be used.
• 🔄 Placement of periods with quotation marks in American English is explained, emphasizing their position inside the closing quotation mark for direct quotes.
• 🔄 Periods with parentheses are discussed, noting that they should be outside if the content is part of a larger sentence, and inside if the content is a complete sentence.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is teaching viewers how to correctly use periods and full stops in English writing.

What is the difference between a period and a full stop according to the speaker's perspective?

The speaker, being from Canada, uses the term 'period', but mentions that in British English it is called a 'full stop'. The function is the same, but the terminology differs by region.

What is the first rule for using periods in English sentences as mentioned in the video?

The first rule is to use periods to end a declarative sentence, which is a complete sentence that is a statement.

How should a period be placed in relation to the last word of a sentence?

A period should be placed immediately after the last word of a sentence without leaving a space between the last letter and the period.

What is the standard practice for spacing after a period in modern writing?

In modern writing, the standard practice is to leave one space after a period before starting the next sentence, as opposed to the two spaces used with typewriters in the past.

What type of sentences are imperative sentences and how are they typically ended?

Imperative sentences are sentences that instruct or command. They are typically ended with a period.

When would an exclamation mark be used instead of a period in imperative sentences?

An exclamation mark would be used instead of a period in imperative sentences to express greater emotion, such as in a situation where the speaker is angry or warning someone.

What is the difference between a direct question and an indirect question in terms of punctuation?

A direct question begins with a question word and ends with a question mark, while an indirect question, which is not directly asking for information, ends with a period.

Why should you not use a period after an abbreviation that already ends with a period?

You should not use a period after an abbreviation that already ends with a period because doing so would result in an incorrect double period, which is not grammatically correct.

How should a period be placed in relation to quotation marks in American English?

In American English, if a sentence ends with a quote, the period is placed inside the closing quotation mark. If the quotation ends with a question mark or exclamation mark, the period is omitted.

What is the correct placement of a period when a sentence ends with a parenthetical statement that is part of a larger sentence?

When a parenthetical statement is part of a larger sentence, the period is placed outside the closing parenthesis.

How should you correct the sentence 'I can't go to the meeting tomorrow night. Can you reschedule?' according to the video?

The sentence should be corrected by placing the period right after 'night' with no space between 'night' and the period, and then a space before 'Can'.

What is the error in the sentence 'Jack asked, Do you want to go out tomorrow night?' as per the video?

The error in the sentence is the presence of a period at the end. Since it ends with a question mark, a period is not needed.

How should the sentence 'Clean up your room.' be corrected if it is meant to express strong emotion?

If the sentence is meant to express strong emotion, it should end with an exclamation mark instead of a period.