British people call a period a full stop.
Understanding the Full Stop
In British English, the punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence is known as a full stop. This is the same symbol that Americans refer to as a "period". The full stop serves to mark the end of a declarative statement and is one of the most basic punctuation marks to use.
How to Use a Full Stop
As described in the reference, think of the full stop as a knife that cuts sentences to the required length. Here are some key aspects of its usage:
- End of Sentences: It is primarily used to denote the end of a complete thought. Example: "The cat sat on the mat."
- Abbreviations: Full stops are also used in abbreviations. Example: "Mr." "Dr."
- Not for Questions or Exclamations: They are not used at the end of questions or exclamations, which require question marks (?) or exclamation marks (!) respectively.
Difference Between British and American English
| Term | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Punctuation Mark at End of Sentence | Full Stop | Period |
While both are the same punctuation mark, the name differs between British and American English. This is a common point of confusion for individuals learning either variety of English.
