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Table of Contents | Reference Texts | Workbook: Lessons & Exercises

English
Guidelines for Using a Period

  • Use a period at the end of a statement, command, indirect question, or polite request.
  • End a statement with a period; eg., The teacher is very demanding of her students.
  • End a command with a period; eg., Read pages 437 to 450 by Monday’s class.
  • End an indirect question with a period; eg., The student wondered whether or not Monday’s class would be cancelled.
  • Although a polite request may have the same structure as a question, it ends with a period; eg., Would you please re-evaluate my performance this term.
  • Use periods after initials and after many abbreviations; eg., J. A. Edwards, c.o.d., Mr., a.m., i.e., Inc., M.D.
  • Use one period when the abbreviation falls at the end of a sentence; eg., Her guests left at 1:00 p.m.

 

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