Punctuation mark (4,4) Crossword Clue
Answer: FULL STOP (8 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Punctuation mark" with 8 letters is "FULL STOP".Full stop is a punctuation mark (.) used to indicate the end of a sentence. It signals a complete thought or statement, helping to separate distinct ideas in written language for clarity and organization.
Why “Full Stop” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (4,4) meaning “punctuation mark.” The answer, FULL STOP, fits exactly:
- Punctuation mark: Full stop is the British term for the punctuation mark “.” used to signify the end of a sentence.
- Direct match: With eight letters split as (4,4), full stop precisely matches the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise meaning: It directly names one of the foundational punctuation marks in written English, used to signal completion or finality in a statement.
The phrase full stop is standard in English grammar and writing conventions:
- Origin and usage: The term emerged in Middle English, combining “full” (denoting completeness) and “stop” (a pause or end). It refers to the complete cessation of a sentence or thought.
- Regional difference: In American English, it’s called a period; in British English and Commonwealth usage, full stop is the preferred term.
- Examples:
- “Each sentence must end with a full stop.”
- “He spoke bluntly, full stop — no excuses.” The latter also represents the idiomatic use, meaning “and that’s final.”
Quick crossword clues like “punctuation mark (4,4)” commonly refer to basic grammatical symbols:
- Possible answers include semi colon (4,6), quote mark (5,4), or comma sign (5,4), but full stop fits both meaning and enumeration perfectly.
- The straightforward wording suggests no hidden wordplay — a simple definition-based clue.
- The clue’s clarity and universal familiarity make full stop an immediate and definitive solution for solvers.