Punctuation: How to Use Periods

Now that you learn how to standardized a manuscript in either US or UK spelling, we will  be studying next proper punctuation. The first is period.

The period (.) is the most basic punctuation in grammar.

1.  It ends a declarative or an imperative sentence. It may also marks the end of a word or phrase (see examples).

• It takes two to tango.
• Stand straight. 
• Yes. 

2.  If a sentence or an independent clause is enclosed in parentheses or brackets, the period is placed at end of the sentence before the closing parenthesis or bracket.  When a word or phrase, which is grammatically incomplete is enclosed in brackets or parentheses within a sentence,  the period is placed outside (refer to the examples). It is also used in abbreviations (Dec., Dr., PhD.), numbers, decimal point, etc.

• That movie is fantastic. (I have watch it three times.) 
• Jye jye arrived late again (forgot to turn on his alarm clock).
• Natural calamities (earthquakes, storms, tornadoes) are damaging our planet. 

3. A period is not used in display lines, running heads, phrase used as captions, table entries, displayed lists (incomplete sentence), etc. Omit period in sentences that already end with a period. Periods may not be also used in abbreviation or acronym read as full word, e.g., NASA, states in the USA, the UK, or USA.  

•  I like to buy gadgets, new car, house, etc.
• The USA is a progressive country.

4. For elliptical construction, a final period is used to indicate terminal punctuation. 

• The speaker says, "For us to succeed in life, career, government...quality education in private and government schools is a must coupled with community and parental support...." during our graduation ceremony.

Source: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/16/ch06/ch06_sec014.html

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