The Period

The period is used to end all sentences except those that are direct questions or exclamations. Periods are also used in certain abbreviations. (Copied on December 8, 2023 from https://www.butte.edu/cas/tipsheets/punctuation/period)

Use a period to end a declarative or imperative sentence.

A declarative sentence is an affirmative or a negative statement in any verb tense. An imperative sentence is a request that is not written as a question.

Recall the 7 things that we do in English. A period is used at the end of ALL of those and the responses to those, except questions and exclamations.

A declarative sentence makes a statement.

All is fair in love and war.

An imperative sentence issues a request or command.

Please do not leave until you have said good-bye.

Do not use a period if the sentence is a genuine exclamation. Use an exclamation point.

That speech was fantastic!

Do not use a period with a sentence that asks a direct question. Use a question mark.

Will the picnic be canceled?

Use a period if the sentence is a statement reporting a question indirectly (reported speech).

Sara asked if the picnic would be canceled.

Note to legitimately join independent clause you may use a semi-colon (;) or FANBOYS.. For clarity of communication, I suggest not joining independent clauses.