The Period
20 rules
Period After Statements and Commands
Use a period to close any sentence that makes a declarative statement (conveying information or an assertion) or that issues a direct command.
Period After Polite Requests
Use a period — not a question mark — to end a sentence that is phrased as a question but actually functions as a polite request, command, or suggestion. These sentences typically begin with 'Will you' or 'May I' and call for action rather than an answer. The key test: is the speaker expecting something to be done, or expecting a verbal reply? If action, use a period.
Period After Fragments and Shortened Expressions
Use a period to end a condensed expression or sentence fragment that functions as a complete statement or command, even though it lacks a traditional subject-and-predicate structure. These fragments are common as brief answers in dialogue ('Not me.', 'No idea.', 'As little as possible.'). If the meaning is clear in context, the fragment is treated as a complete sentence and closed with a period.
Period After Follow-Up Fragment That Continues a Question
In testimony, when a follow-up utterance is phrased as a question but is actually a non-interrogative fragment continuing the previous question, end it with a period rather than a question mark. The fragment is merely a shortened form of an imperative (e.g., 'Approximately.' is short for 'Tell me approximately.'). If the reporter hears a distinctly questioning inflection — suggesting the speaker is genuinely asking — use a question mark instead.
Period After an Indirect Question
Use a period to end an indirect question — a sentence that reports, describes, or refers to a question without directly asking it. Indirect questions are declarative in structure even though they involve question content. Typical signals include phrases like 'asked whether,' 'wanted to know,' or 'going to ask you if.'
Single Period When a Sentence Ends with an Abbreviation
When a sentence ends with an abbreviation that already includes a period, do not add a second period. The abbreviation's period does double duty, also serving as the sentence-ending period. However, other punctuation marks (question marks, exclamation points) are still added after the abbreviation's period when needed.
Period Placement with Closing Quotation Marks
When a sentence ends with a quotation enclosed in double quotation marks, place the period inside the closing quotation mark. This is the standard American English convention.
Period Placement with Single Quotation Marks Inside Double
When single quotation marks are nested inside double quotation marks at the end of a sentence, place the period inside the single quotation mark. The closing punctuation sequence is: period, single quote, double quote.
Period to Fix Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices
Do not join two independent sentences with just a comma when there is no conjunction — this creates a run-on sentence (also called a comma splice). Use a period to separate them into two sentences. If the sentences are closely related, a semicolon is also acceptable. When a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or, nor) is present, a comma before the conjunction is correct. Parallel constructions (sentences with similar structure) are also not an exception — use a semicolon, not a comma, to join them. When there is no coordinate conjunction between independent clauses, do not use a comma — use a period or semicolon instead.
Period When the Attorney Repeats the Witness's Answer
When an attorney repeats all or part of a witness's answer — whether it is a complete sentence or a fragment — before moving on to a new question, end the repeated portion with a period. The repeated answer stands as its own complete thought. The new question that follows should be paragraphed on a new line (whether to paragraph or not is a style choice, but consistency is important).
Period After 'Object' or 'Objection' Used Alone Before Reasons
When the words 'object,' 'objection,' or similar expressions are used alone as a standalone thought, place a period after them before the reasons for the objection are listed. Each word stands for a complete thought ('Object' = 'I object'; 'Objection' = 'I have an objection') and is punctuated as a fragment with a period.
Objection Punctuation: Conjunction Between Each Reason
When a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or, nor) appears between each reason in an objection, use no punctuation before any of the conjunctions. The conjunctions provide the separation.
Objection Punctuation: No Conjunction — Period After Each Reason
When there is no coordinate conjunction between any of the objection reasons, use a period after each separate objection, whether it is a complete sentence or a fragment, before going on to the next.
Objection Punctuation: Conjunction Only Before the Last Reason
When a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or, nor) is used only before the last objection reason, separate each objection with a comma and also use a comma before the final conjunction. This follows the same pattern as punctuating a standard series.
Objection with a Prepositional Phrase: No Internal Punctuation
When an objection word is followed by or combined with a prepositional phrase (e.g., 'Object as to relevancy,' 'Objection to the question,' 'Object to everything after...'), use no punctuation between the objection word and the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase is part of the objection, not a separate thought.
Period After Okay, All Right, Very Well, Fine at Beginning of Sentence
Use a period after the words 'okay,' 'all right,' 'very well,' or 'fine' when they come at the beginning of a sentence. Each of these words is a shortened form of a complete thought (e.g., 'It is okay,' 'It is all right') and should be treated as a standalone sentence. If several appear strung together, use a period after each one. These are not connected to the sentence that follows — a comma would incorrectly imply a connection.
Period After Okay, All Right, Fine, Very Well at End of Sentence
When 'okay,' 'all right,' 'fine,' or 'very well' is used at the end of a sentence, use a period in front of it — it stands for a complete thought on its own. It is not grammatically connected to the sentence before it.
Period After Yes or No When Followed by a Conjunction
When the words after 'yes' or 'no' begin with a coordinate conjunction like 'and' or 'but,' or a subordinate conjunction like 'because' or 'though,' use a period after the 'yes' or 'no.' The conjunction signals a new, separate thought — the words are not simply echoing or confirming the question.
Period After Echoed Yes/No Answer Before an Additional Sentence
When a sentence continues after the 'yes' or 'no' and its echoed answer (e.g., after 'Yes, I did' or 'No, she hasn't'), put a period after the echoed answer before the additional sentence begins. The echo confirms the yes/no; what follows is a new thought.
Can/Could: Question Mark for Ability, Period for Request
When 'can' or 'could' is used to ask about physical ability or capacity, it is a genuine question and takes a question mark. When 'can' or 'could' is used to get someone to do something (as a polite request), it takes a period. When the meaning seems to be asking someone to do something, default to treating it as a polite request with a period. The witness's response can sometimes help determine which meaning was intended.