British English, with its rich linguistic history and regional variations, may have a few different ways to express the word “period.” In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal terms used in Britain to refer to this punctuation mark. While regional variations are interesting to note, we will primarily focus on commonly used terms.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Period”
In formal British English, the period is called:
- Full Stop: The most commonly used term across Britain, “full stop” is used to indicate the end of a sentence.
Informal Ways to Say “Period”
When speaking more informally, British English has a few alternatives for the word “period.” Here are some commonly used expressions:
- Dot: This is a widely used term in conversational British English. For example, you may hear: “Put a dot at the end of the sentence.”
- Point: This term is also used informally and is interchangeable with “dot.” For instance, “Add a point to the end of the sentence.”
Regional Variations
While the aforementioned terms are universally understood across Britain, there are certain regional variations that may be interesting to explore. These variations may not be widely used but are worth noting:
Scotland
In Scotland, you might come across the term:
- Mark: Some Scottish English speakers may refer to the period as a “mark.” For instance, “Place a mark at the end of the sentence.”
Wales
In Wales, you may encounter the term:
- Stop: While relatively uncommon in other regions, some Welsh English speakers use “stop” instead of “full stop.” For example, “Finish the sentence with a stop.”
Northern England
In Northern England, you may occasionally hear the term:
- Marker: Here, “marker” is sometimes used to refer to a period. For instance, “Put a marker at the end of the sentence.”
Tip: While these regional variations can be interesting, it’s essential to note that “full stop” is universally understood and accepted across the United Kingdom.
Examples
To provide a better understanding of how these terms are used, here are a few examples:
- “The cat sat on the mat. (Full stop)
- “Please remember to attend the meeting.” (Dot)
- “I need to do my homework by tomorrow.” (Point)
- “He didn’t do the dishes.” (Mark)
- “The train will arrive at 10 o’clock. Stop” (Stop)
- “She reached the finish line first. Marker” (Marker)
Remember that regardless of the exact term, all these expressions convey the same meaning. The choice of term often depends on personal preference, regional dialect, and formality of speech.
So, whether you use “full stop,” “dot,” or any of the other regional terms, you can be confident that you are conveying the concept of a period accurately in British English.
