What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dot
Example
Please put a dot on the i. [dot: noun]
Example
The plane disappeared into a dot in the sky. [dot: noun]
Example
The website address ends with a dot com. [dot: noun]
period
Example
Remember to put a period at the end of your sentence. [period: noun]
Example
The company had a successful period of growth in the 1990s. [period: noun]
Example
The Renaissance was a period of great artistic and cultural achievement. [period: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Period is more commonly used than dot in everyday language. Period is a common punctuation mark used in writing and is versatile enough to be used in various contexts, while dot is less common and is often associated with technical or computer-related contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dot and period?
Both dot and period are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
