Sentence Ending and Punctuations

Sentence Ending

Types of Sentences

• Declarative sentence – It makes a statement that can be a fact or an opinion. It is used to convey information.
• Imperative sentence – It is used to make a request, issue a command, offer advice, or give an instruction.
• Interrogative sentence –It is used to ask questions or to interrogate. The questions could be open ended or close ended.
• Exclamatory sentence-It is used to express strong emotions and feelings like anger, happiness, excitement, disbelief, etc.

Sentence Ending Punctuation 

Punctuation at the conclusion of a sentence.

Sentence ending punctuation helps the reader to interpret the sentence and the tone appropriately.

Three Types of Punctuation Marks

• Period (.)
• Question mark (?)
• Exclamation point (!)
• Period – It marks the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence. It signals the end of a sentence.

Example – Imperative sentence: Don’t disturb me when I am on an official call.

Declarative sentence: Mark wants to eat apple pie, but he doesn’t know how to make it.

Declarative sentence: John asked where my house was.

(Indirect questions are declarative sentences)

Rules

• The period is used at the end of a sentence without the space.
• If a sentence ends with an abbreviation that uses a period, second period won’t be added.
• Example – Fruits are good source of vitamins and minerals such as orange, apple, guava, banana, etc.

When Not to Use Period

• If the sentence ends in a quote, with a question mark or exclamation mark at the end.
• If the sentence ends in a proper noun, with a question mark or exclamation mark at the end.
• Question mark – It marks the end of an interrogative sentence. It indicates a direct question.

The question often starts with a wh-word (who, what, when, where, how, and why) but not necessary.

Example – Interrogative sentence – When Rose reaches home, could you give her this letter?

Rules

• Question mark is used at the end of a sentence without space.
• Keep the question mark at the end of the sentence (interrogative) before the quotation mark.

Example – Mary asked, “Why are we going to the party?”

• Exclamation point – It marks the end of an exclamatory or imperative sentence to depict strong emotions.

Example – Imperative sentence – Get the book right now!

– Exclamatory sentence – I hate these milk chocolates!

• Exclamation points are also used as interjections. Overuse of exclamation point to be avoided in a sentence.
• Keep the exclamation point at the end of the sentence before the quotation mark.

Example – “There is a snake behind the window!” shouted Jerry.