Phrases, Clauses, and Sentences
Periods, Question Marks, Exclamation Points
Exclamation points follow interjections and other expressions of strong feeling. They may also be used to lend force to a command.
-
What a mess!
-
The lights! The music! The dazzling costumes! My eyes and ears couldn't get enough of the spectacle.
-
Sit down and shut your mouth! Now!
An exclamation point is particularly useful if you're writing dialogue because it shows the feeling behind a statement.
Exclamation points with quotation marks
If the material being quoted is an exclamation, put the exclamation mark within the quotation marks.
-
“ I hate you!” she screamed.
-
“ What rubbish!” he said, leaving the room.
If an exclamation includes a quotation that is not an exclamation, put the mark outside the quotation marks.
-
For the last time, stop calling me your “darling little boy”!
Exclamation points with commas and periods
After an exclamation point, omit a comma or a period.
-
“You adorable thing !” he gushed.
-
not “You adorable thing !,” he gushed.
-
What a terrible way to end our trip !
-
not What a terrible way to end our trip !.
