Full stop is a punctuation mark that ends the period. It is used at the end of declarative and imperative sentences. It can also be used in indirect interrogative clauses. But in addition to it, there are other types of dots, such as the question mark, exclamation mark, colon, and semicolon.
Read too: Comma — how to use it properly?
Endpoint summary
The period signals a long-lasting break at the end of a period.
It can also end indirect interrogative sentences.
The abbreviation period is used in abbreviations.
The separating dot is not used in a number indicating a year, nor in the CEP.
What is the full stop for?
The end point serves to indicate a long break at the end of a period:
Vegetables are increasingly rare in this region. I haven't known what a cabbage or a lettuce tastes for a long time.
Unlike the comma, which indicates a shorter pause:
Vegetables, increasingly rare in this region, are very expensive.
When to use the full stop?
We must use the period in the following cases:
To end a period: Every day, we repeat several clichés.
At the end of the date of a correspondence: Belo Horizonte, August 13, 1999.
in indirect interrogative prayer: Tell me your father's name.
we call abbreviated period the one used in abbreviations, such as "ltda." and “adj.”. already the breakpoint is used in numbers: 1,235, 461,358, 8,000,000 etc.
Check out our podcast: 5 Frequently Asked Questions about the Portuguese Language
When not to use the full stop?
We should not use the full stop in direct interrogative prayer:
What is your father's name?
In addition, it is worth noting that the use of period at the end of titles is considered optional.. However, traditionally it is not used in this case.
already the separating dot should not be used in number indicating year (1950, 1985, 2000, 2011), nor in CEP (30672-772, 08090-284).
full stop in sentences
The period is used at the end of declarative and imperative sentences:
I trust your judgment.
I don't trust your judgment.
Do your tasks now.
Don't do your chores now.
However, in imperative sentences, you can use the exclamation point to emphasize the order given:
Do your homework now!
Don't do your chores now!
Read too: Three Myths About Comma Usage You Need to Know
Other types of points
In addition to the period, abbreviation period and separating period, there are also:
Question Mark (?)
O Question Mark indicates a question:
Will you take a test tomorrow?
Exclamation mark (!)
O exclamation mark expresses an emotion, order or plea:
My poor cousin!
Clean up all this mess!
Please give me a second chance!
Two points (:)
You two points indicate, among other things, a clarification or result:
Gilberto is like that: he complains, complains, but ends up obeying.
The consequence of his actions: five wounded and one death.
Semicolon (;)
O semicolon signals a pause longer than the comma and shorter than the period:
The fish managed to get rid of the hook; he swam happily, though wounded, to the bottom of the river.
Video lesson about full stop, exclamation point and question mark
Solved exercises about full stop
Question 01
Analyze the statements below and mark the alternative in which the incorrect use of the period is verified.
The) We have lived on Av. Moriconi for more or less fifteen years.
B) We only got justice in 2013, five years after the event.
ç) A minimum wage of 5,000 reais is an impossible dream.
d) She said the zip code is 59042-070, but she didn't mean the number.
and) I didn't believe things could change in my neighborhood.
Resolution:
Alternative “b”.
In number indicating year, do not use period. So, the correct one is “2013” and not “2013”.
question 02
In which of the alternatives below is the period used in an indirect interrogative sentence?
The) I want to know what you mean by that.
B) I have a lot of questions to ask you today.
ç) He told me which option was most suitable.
d) Let it go and get on with your work.
and) Maybe I could get first place.
Resolution:
Alternative “a”.
In “I want to know what you mean by that”, we have a question asked indirectly. The sentence would be straightforward interrogative if the question were written like this: “What do you mean by that?”.
by Warley Souza
grammar teacher