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We see the exclamation mark on social media, in emails or apps. But how do you use the punctuation mark?
Exclamation mark
The exclamation mark (!) emphasizes a word or phrase. With this we ‘call/scream’ in a digital way, as it were. We come across the exclamation mark in, for example, comments under Facebook messages, emails, physical letters, books and on billboards. The punctuation mark expresses a certain emotion, such as joy, enthusiasm or anger. A text therefore comes across differently than if it does not contain an exclamation mark. The sentence ‘Well done!’ is, for example, more persuasive than ‘Well done’. However, the reader can sometimes misinterpret the text because of the exclamation mark, for example if there are many exclamation marks. The text then comes across as too emotional (think of being overly enthusiastic or mocking), screaming or childish. You also have to be careful with sentences in imperative mood: a text can come across as too compelling with an exclamation mark. So always consider the meaning of the exclamation mark when you use this punctuation mark.
Typing exclamation mark (PC)
On a Windows PC or Mac, type an exclamation point like this:
- Click on the place where an exclamation mark should be, for example in Word or an email.
- On the keyboard, briefly press the Shift key and 1 key at the same time.
The exclamation mark appears in the text.
Typing exclamation mark (iOS)
On iPhones and iPads, type an exclamation point like this:
- Tap where you want to put an exclamation mark.
- On the keyboard at the bottom of the screen, tap 123.
- The punctuation marks appear. Tap the exclamation mark: !
The exclamation mark is in the text.
Typing exclamation mark (Android)
Enter an exclamation mark on Android devices like this:
- Tap where you want to type an exclamation mark.
- Tap the key with the characters ?123, 123, !#1 or with a smiling emoticon.
- Tap the exclamation mark: !
The punctuation mark is in the text.