Punctuation in lists

Last Updated : Dec 17, 2013 |

Introduce a list with a sentence or a sentence fragment. Place a colon after the introductory sentence or the introductory sentence fragment.

End each entry with a period if all entries are complete sentences or a mixture of fragments and complete sentences.

Do not use a period after the last item in a list unless:
  • The last item is a complete sentence.

  • The list consists of a mixture of sentence fragments and sentences, and each item ends with a period.

Exception for items and remarks lists

For more information about how to punctuate lists that consist of items and remarks, see Items-and-remarks lists.