Using End Marks
What are end marks?
Periods
Sentences
Abbreviations
Question marks
Exclamation points
Review A
Review B
What are end marks?
When you speak, you can make your meaning
clear by
• your tone of voice
• the pauses in your speech
• your gestures and facial
expressions
When you write, you use end marks and other
punctuation to help the reader understand your
meaning.
What are end marks?
End marks—periods, question marks, and
exclamation points—show where one sentence
ends and the next begins.
I’ll call you later tonight I have to study
Will I call you
later tonight?
I’ll call you later tonight.
I have to study.
Or do I have to
study tonight?
I’ll call you later. Tonight
I have to study.
What are end marks?
End marks also help indicate the purpose of a
sentence.
Statement
I raked up all the leaves today.
Question
Did you rake up all the leaves?
Exclamation
I finally raked up all the leaves!
Command
Hurry up and rake those leaves!
Request
Please rake the leaves today.
[End of Section]
Periods
The period is the most common end mark.
Periods are used to end
• statements
• requests and mild commands
Periods are also used after most abbreviations.
Periods
Sentences
A statement ends with a period.
We are on the same team.
The referee hasn’t flipped the coin yet.
Statements are declarative sentences.
Periods
Sentences
A request or a mild command ends with a
period.
Request
Please prepare the salad.
Command
Slice the peppers and carrots.
Requests and commands are
imperative sentences.
Periods
Abbreviations
Periods are used in many types of abbreviations.
Personal names (initials)
J. K. Rowling
S. E. Hinton
Titles used with names
Dr. Helen Giles
Mrs. Garcia
Jim Rhodes, Jr.
Periods
Abbreviations
Periods are used in many types of abbreviations.
Organizations and companies
Student Volunteer Assn.
Leo’s Cleaning, Inc.
NOTE: Abbreviations for government agencies and
other widely used abbreviations are written without
periods. Each letter is capitalized.
CIA (Central
Intelligence Agency)
UFO (Unidentified
Flying Object)
Periods
Abbreviations
Periods are used in many types of abbreviations.
Items in addresses
216 N. Oak St.
P.O. Box 3114
State names
N.Y.
Mass.
N.Dak.
Periods
Abbreviations
Periods are used in many types of abbreviations.
Times of day
7:30 A.M.
8:15 P.M.
Periods
Abbreviations
Units of measurement
Abbreviations for units of measurement are
usually written without periods.
kilogram
kg
mile
mi
foot
ft
ounce
oz
Use a period with the abbreviation for inch (in.)
to prevent confusing it with the word in.
inch
in.
Periods
On Your Own
Add periods where needed in the following sentences.
1. Cory brought her camera on the field trip
2. Please pass me the potatoes
3. We sent the entry form to PO Box 312
4. Mrs Ruiz was not in her office today
5. The board needs to be six ft and four in long.
[End of Section]
Question marks
A question ends with a question mark.
Have you heard my new song?
Where should I meet you?
Did you see the art exhibit?
Questions are also called interrogative sentences.
Exclamation points
An exclamation ends with an exclamation point.
What a fun ride that was!
Those puppies are so cute!
Exclamations are also called exclamatory
sentences.
Exclamation points
A strong command ends with an exclamation
point.
Look out for that car!
Pick up that litter now!
Commands and requests are imperative sentences.
Question marks and exclamation points
On Your Own
Add question marks or exclamation points, as
appropriate, to the following sentences.
1. How many players are on each team
2. Watch out
3. What a beautiful bunch of flowers that is
4. Where would you like to go this evening
5. The roof is caving in Get out now
[End of Section]
Review A
In the following sentences, add correct end marks as
needed. If a sentence is already correct, write C.
1. The book is about Dr Martin Luther King, Jr
2. Which way do I turn to get to the skate park
3. I read one of my own poems in class
4. Mitch’s father was born in Japan.
5. Look out for that falling rock
[End of Section]
Review B
Add end marks as needed in the following sentences.
1. What an exciting game that was
2. Please make your bed every morning
3. Most of the city streets are now covered with ice
4. Wake up right now
5. Has Mr Tyrell P Brown agreed to speak at the
ceremony
6. The baby weighs eight lbs and is 20 in long
[End of Section]
The End