A full stop shows where a sentence ends — Language, 4–6
A full stop is a small mark that tells a reader one complete sentence has finished. It gives the eyes a pause and helps separate one thought from the next.
A dot can close a sentence
When a sentence has finished saying one whole thought, a full stop can come at the end. It looks like a small dot: “The dog sleeps.” The dot is not part of the dog or the sleep; it is a sign for the person reading.
Why put a stop there?
In speech, your voice and a pause can show that one thought is over. Writing cannot use your voice, so readers need marks on the page. The full stop grew as a simple way to say, “Pause here; that message is complete.”
Put the stop in place
Start with these words: “The cat is small The cat can jump.” First find the first complete thought: “The cat is small.” Put a full stop there. Then read the next thought: “The cat can jump.” Add its full stop too, so the writing has two clear sentences.
Do not stop at every word
A new writer may put a dot after every word because each word looks separate on the page. That makes sense when you are noticing words one by one. A full stop belongs after a complete thought, not after each word, so read the words aloud and find where the idea ends.
Where you use them
You meet full stops in books, labels, notes and messages. When you write a caption for a drawing or tell someone what happened, a full stop helps them know when one message ends. It is especially useful when several sentences sit close together.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…