Pronunciation: [fˈʊl stˈɒp] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "full stop" is pretty straightforward. It is spelled phonetically as /fʊl stɒp/. The first syllable is pronounced as "full" with a short "u" sound, while the second syllable is pronounced as "stop" with a short "o" sound. The phrase "full stop" is commonly used in British English to refer to the punctuation mark "." that is commonly used to indicate the end of a sentence.
Full stop refers to a punctuation mark (.) that is a vertical dot used at the end of a sentence or independent clause. It is the most commonly used punctuation mark, denoting a complete pause, period, or stop in a written expression. The term "full stop" is commonly used in British English, whereas in American English, it is referred to as a "period." The full stop is located at the bottom of a line of text and is often followed by a space before the beginning of the next sentence.
As a punctuation mark, the full stop serves several functions, primarily indicating the conclusion of a statement or a command. It functions to separate sentences, each representing a complete thought or idea, enabling clarity and facilitating understanding. When used in abbreviations or acronyms, the full stop can indicate the shortened word by placing it after each abbreviated letter.
In addition to its grammatical purpose, the full stop may also convey different nuances in informal written communication. In casual conversation or instant messaging, it can potentially denote emphasis, emphasize the finality of a statement, or indicate a brief ending to a message or dialogue. Subsequently, it can be used to convey tone, such as when ending a sentence with a period to depict a serious or conclusive tone. Overall, the full stop is an essential punctuation mark that aids in delineating sentences, conveying meaning, and contributing to effective communication in written language.
The word "full stop" originated from the practice of punctuating written text with a dot, which indicated a complete stop or end of a sentence. This term evolved from Middle English, where it was known as "foll stoppe" or "fulle stoppe". The word "full" referred to the idea of completeness or entirety, while "stop" indicated a pause or cessation. Over time, this phrase was shortened to "full stop", which has been used to describe the punctuation mark (.) since the 17th century.
