GRAMMAR REVIEW 102: PUNCTUATION: PERIODS

Some of my friends would say that punctuation rules limit their creative freedom, while others (at least) see it the opposite. The rules actually don't block your creative minds, instead they set it free! They allow you to tell your story or express your thoughts clearly, creatively and persuasively. 

Let's see how to use punctuation in a way that lets your stories sparkle and and your creativity soar.

PERIODS. 

1. Use a period at the end of the complete sentence.

    This rule is mighty easy.

2. Use periods (decimal points) with money and percentages.

     P120.50          21.99%

3. Use periods after people's initial names.

    My English teacher is Mr. A. M. Duping.

4. Use periods in some abbreviations.

     a. Many uppercase and lowercase abbreviations still use a period

         Jan. (January), Mon. (Monday), Tues. (Tuesday), Gov. (Governor), Sen. (Senator), Pres. (President), Mrs.,  Ph. D., M.D., Ave., St., Rd., lbs., oz., cm., min., ft., U. S. A., U. K., lat., long., misc., i.e (Latin abbreviation meaning "in other words"), e.g. (Latin abbreviation meaning "for example"), B.C., (before Christ), Inc. (Incorporated).

     b. When all the letters are capital letters, periods are usually not used. 

          States: LA, NY, MA

          Agencies, companies and organizations: NBI, CIA, FBI, DOH, DPWH

          Tests: OLSAT, NSAT, NEAT, IQ, EQ

           Radio and Television stations: DZRH, ABS-CBN, GMA, CNN, ESPN

           Medical Terms: AIDS, PMS

           Directions: NE, SE, SW

      c. Some other common abbreviations don't use periods.

          UFO (unidentified flying object)

          DST (daylight savings time)

          mph (miles per hour)

          Hg (mercury)

          Hz (hertz)