The Exclamation Point (!!!!!)

I am definitely an over user of the exclamation point. If you survey my texts, posts and emails you would probably agree. I mean, I’m struggling RIGHT NOW to write three sentences and not use them. Haha.

I heard something recently that you should watch how many you use in emails at work. Busted. I mean, if I’m writing something serious or to someone formal that I don’t know I would not be using !!! frequently but “!!!” are my way of showing emphasis, excitement, even anger sometimes.

I think if I don’t use “!!” in a text my kids worry that something is wrong !!

Wonder if this over use is a result of texting in general. That we are “chatting” more instead of like writing a letter so more emotions (different than emoticons).

Are you a punctuation user or abuser???

I use exclamation points, way, way too much!!

I rarely use or abuse exclamation points, but I am guilty of massive overuse and misuse of ellipses… I just can’t help myself.

I do the same Milgymfam… A LOT!

I am constantly deleting them and replacing with a period. So basically, I think I am telling myself to chill out

I’ve seen this floating around the internet, and it’s definitely me.
Me, writing an email:
I’m using an exclamation point so you know I’m friendly and excited! But now I’m using a period so that you know I’m not crazy. Here’s another sentence with a period as a buffer, proving my normalness.
Thanks so much!

I’m a little extra in all things punctuation.

I’m a big fan of the semicolon; for some reason, I don’t want to make two sentences. It usually isn’t necessary; perhaps I want my reader to see the thoughts are related.

Guilty!!! ?

Well, of course, so excitable!!!

I use ! in texts frequently. Tests are harder to convey emotions to me.

I use parenthesis much more than exclamation.

I grossly overuse excitable adjectives, …, and !!!
DH says I text like I talk… but isn’t that the point?!! I want it to sound like me, not a robot.

I’m reading this fascinating book called “ Because Internet” about the new linguistics of what is essentially the “written speech” that’s developed around texting.

Written speech has different rules and grammar than other forms of writing. Punctuation is important to convey tone and meaning in a way that’s not true of conventional writing. There’s a whole section about why writing “ Okay.” means something different and is ruder than “ok”—- and why using a period in texting often conveys brusqueness to the point of rudeness. Exclamation points can be helpful as “ Sure.” conveys something very different than “Sure!”

All around it’s a great, though academic, read.

Team Exclamation Point! They are useful for denoting enthusiasm and context,

Pet peeve: using apostrophes to denote plurals not possessives. Free the apostrophe!!!

I love ellipses…it’s kinda how I talk and think…

I don’t mind exclamation point, but very much dislike capital letters. All I could think of is “stop shouting.”

I was an editor for 10 years and then worked in the field of communicating benefit programs for another 10 or so. So I really try to make every word and every piece of punctuation appropriate. (I also loved diagramming sentences in 7th grade.) I try to use exclamation points (what we called “bang” in my editing days) only when I want to express excitement or wonder.

I saw a documentary on this, which basically said it’s a faddy thing and will eventually complete it’s natural cycle of overuse, until it becomes a thing again. Exclamation marks became a big thing, if I recall, in the 50’s when things were New! and Improved!

Anyway, I have made a conscious effort to not use them so much. The consequence is that because using a period now means you’re angry, I’ve taken to not ending my final sentence with one

I’m guilty, too.