11 examples of exclamation-point abuse
The punctuation mark is meant to add emphasis, but unless used sparingly, can serve as an annoyance. Here are instances of improper use.
If you don’t remember it, Elaine’s boyfriend had written down some phone messages, one of which said that her friend had a baby. Elaine found it “curious” that he didn’t think someone having a baby warranted an exclamation point.
“Maybe I don’t use my exclamation points as haphazardly as you do,” Elaine’s boyfriend tells her:
I’ve had several conversations recently about the overuse, abuse, and misuse of exclamation points. These days even the most mundane statements receive exclamation points.
Why all the emphasis? Have we forgotten what we were taught in elementary school? If everything is emphasized, nothing is. RELATED: Check your punctuation usage with this free guide.
Below are a few real-world examples of exclamation point misuse, ranging from questionable to ridiculous. As you read these, remember that exclamation points should be used sparingly—and only to express strong emotion or to indicate that you should yell when you read the sentence out loud:
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