Which punctuation mark is primarily used to signal the end of a sentence?

The period is primarily used to indicate the end of a declarative sentence. It signifies a full stop, prompting the reader to pause before continuing to the next thought or sentence. This function makes it essential in forming clear and coherent written communication, as it helps to distinguish complete statements that convey information.

While other punctuation marks also denote the end of a sentence, such as the exclamation mark and question mark, their purposes are different. The exclamation mark conveys strong emotion or emphasis, and the question mark indicates an interrogative sentence, which seeks information. However, the period remains the most standard and widely used punctuation mark for simply concluding a thought without additional emotional connotation or inquiry.