Use one – and only one – full stop or question mark at the end of a sentence.

<aside> ✅ When does the bus arrive?

</aside>

<aside> ✅ We went home at 5pm.

</aside>

Use a full stop, not a question mark, at the end of a reported question:

<aside> ✅ They asked him if the budget would increase.

</aside>

Use a full stop, not an exclamation mark, at the end of a reported command:

<aside> ✅ She shouted at me to wait for her.

</aside>

If a URL or email address is at the end of a sentence you can use a full stop – but never put it in bold unless the whole sentence is:

<aside> ✅ Please see more information at nottingham.ac.uk.

</aside>

Never use a full stop if it will be followed or preceded by an ellipsis:

<aside> ✅ Behind him stood a gure... It was ghostly grey.

</aside>

<aside> ✅ She wasn't quite sure what would happen next...

</aside>

When it comes to exclamation marks, avoid them altogether. They look like you're shouting! Or angry! Or, as F Scott Fitzgerald said, like you're laughing at your own jokes. And they can trivialise your message.

Only use them if they're part of a book or film title:

<aside> ✅ Help! is a great album.

</aside>