Bullet-point (or vertical) lists are a convenient and eye-catching method of summarizing content in your work. But punctuating these lists can be tricky. In this guide, we’ll explain when to use periods with a bullet-point list. Read on for more information!
The key issue here is whether you’re listing full sentences or sentence fragments. If a full sentence is listed with a bullet point, it should end with a period. For example:
If, on the other hand, you’re listing words or short phrases, you should omit the period. Have a look at this example:
Things to take to university:
See—no periods!
Finally, when you’re listing a longer sentence fragment, periods are optional. For instance:
Useful language learning techniques include:
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Here, the list would be punctuated correctly with or without periods—just make sure it’s consistent.
A problem arises when you list a mixture of full sentences and fragments. Should you use a period at the end or not? The answer is yes. For the sake of consistency, include a period at the end of each item on a mixed list. For example:
My thoughts on English grammar:
While in formal writing you should be consistent with your use of full sentences or fragments in a vertical list, in informal writing, it’s acceptable to combine both. Just remember the period at the end of each list item!
We hope this guide has helped you to use periods in your bullet-point lists correctly. If you would like any further assistance with your writing, whether it’s formatting, proofreading, or editing, get in touch with us today!
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