The exclamation point is used to show strong emotion or excitement. However, it should be used sparingly to avoid overwhelming the reader. Overusing exclamation points can make writing seem less professional or harder to take seriously.
At the End of a Sentence
The exclamation point is placed at the end of a sentence to express strong feelings like surprise, anger, or excitement. It should not be combined with a period or question mark. Some writers might use both a question mark and an exclamation point in an exclamatory question, but that’s unnecessary.
- Correct:
I can’t believe we won the game! - Incorrect:
I can’t believe we won the game!?
Explanation: In the correct example, only the exclamation point is used to show strong emotion. Combining it with a question mark is incorrect.
In the Middle of a Sentence
When a quote ends with an exclamation point, do not add a comma after it. The exclamation point replaces the comma.
- Correct:
“Hurry up!” she shouted as the train arrived. - Incorrect:
“Hurry up!,” she shouted as the train arrived.
Explanation: The exclamation point acts as the necessary punctuation, so no comma is needed after the closing quotation mark.
As Part of a Title or Proper Noun
If an exclamation point is part of the title of a work or a company’s name, it should be included as is, and any other punctuation (like a comma) should follow the normal sentence rules.
- Correct:
His new book, Watch Out!, is a thriller.
After three years at Zoom!, she moved to a new job. - Incorrect:
His new book, Watch Out!, is a thriller.
Explanation: In the correct examples, the exclamation point is part of the title or name, and other punctuation follows the rules of the sentence.
As an Editorial Comment
Sometimes, writers use exclamation points in brackets to show surprise or amusement about something in a quote. However, this should be avoided in formal writing.
- Example:
The president claimed, “We will solve this issue in a day!” [!]
Explanation: Using an exclamation point in this way is informal and should not be used in professional or academic writing.