A period is used as stop punctuation. Every time you reach the end of a statement sentence, you should put a period.
Today is Thursday.
I bought a new sweater yesterday.
Sam’s brother is a teacher.
Although it is raining, the sun is peaking from behind a cloud.
Each of these sentences makes a statement. Use a period to signal the end of a sentence.
A period is also used to end an abbreviation. When we shorten a word, we take out some of the letters. We say the word is abbreviated. Some abbreviations end with a period. Look at these examples:
Dr. = Doctor
Mr. = Mister
appt. = appointment
dept. = department
min. = minute
temp. = temperature
Ave. = Avenue
A period is used to end a statement sentence. A period also ends many abbreviations.
▶It’s your turn. Can you figure out where one statement ends and the next begins? Put a period at the end of the first statement. I want to go to the movies Sam says he will come with me. Did you find the spot where one thought ends and another begins? Did you put a period there? Good for you!