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CELPIP's eighteenth error as they state:

A common CELPIP error is failing to use a period when necessary, which leads to run-on sentences (see Unit 2: Run-On Sentences) and a confused reader. A test taker who is unable to use periods effectively may produce responses that are harder to read and that may not communicate ideas clearly and effectively, resulting in a lower rating. A test taker also needs to be careful to use question marks in true questions only and to limit their use of exclamation marks to sentences where it is appropriate to communicate surprise, shock, or other strong emotions.

How to Avoid Sentence End Punctuation Errors

  • Periods: Use a period to end each complete sentence. Remember that a sentence expresses a complete thought. Do not end a sentence with a period if it already ends with another punctuation mark.
  • Question Marks: Only direct questions require question marks. Embedded and reported questions may contain questions, but they are actually statements, so question marks should not be used. The exception to this is polite questions form that included an embedded question. For example, Can you show me which dog is Miguel?
    • Embedded question: I don't know where the library is.
    • Direct question: Where is the library?
    • Reported question: I always ask the driver how long it will take.
    • Direct question: How long will it take?
  • Exclamation Marks: Use a single exclamation mark to end a sentence that is truly surprising, shocking, or exciting. Do not overuse!


Always use a period after an abbreviation such as Dr. (doctor), or etc. (etcetera). If an abbreviation is the last word of a sentence, do not add another period.

Good luck!

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