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Do you use one or two spaces after a period?

larryselbows

larryselbows

Banned
In junior high, I was always taught to use two spaces after a period. On NPR today, a technology expert said to only use one because the two space rule was introduced during the type-writer era. Nowadays, the home computer has default spaces for each letter and punctuation mark, therefore, two spaces is no longer necessary. The interviewer disagreed, stating that she felt that two spaces makes writing flow better as it demarcates a new thought, similar to indenting a paragraph. In the end they agreed that either are ok.

What do you guys use? I just don't want to look like an idiot on facebook.
 
larryselbows said:
In junior high, I was always taught to use two spaces after a period. On NPR today, a technology expert said to only use one because the two space rule was introduced during the type-writer era. Nowadays, the home computer has default spaces for each letter and punctuation mark, therefore, two spaces is no longer necessary. The interviewer disagreed, stating that she felt that two spaces makes writing flow better as it demarcates a new thought, similar to indenting a paragraph. In the end they agreed that either are ok.
Click to expand...

The expert is correct. The two space rule was because of fixed-width fonts. If you are using Courier, then by all means use two spaces. But if you use proportional-width fonts such as Times and Arial, then you should use one space.
 
Here is a little test. First is courier with double spaces after periods. Even for a sentence fragment. And another.

Here is the next part. Courier with one space after the period. Also here. And here. Looks kind of squished

Now for times. First with 2 spaces. It looks ok here because, well, the editing font all looks the same. Maybe it will be different.

Now times with single spaces. It is weird to type a single space. I learned to type with double spaces after every period. It isn't easy to adjust.

Let's try arial. So far so good. Smaller sentences this time. Double space to start with of course. Not sure if it matters really.

Ok now single spaces. Again it feels weird to type only one. I would have to practice to change it. Not sure if it is worth the effort.
 
It certainly seems more crowded with single spaces. Then again, who knows if this reply tool has true fonts or not. Maybe I will have to try it in word or something to really see. Either way I find it easier to type with 2 and it doesn't appear to make much of a difference.
 
Type Test.JPG

Ok first time I ever uploaded from my comp to post an image. Click it and you will see a screen shot with the same test in Word. Interestingly enough, when I pasted it into Word, it took out the extra spaces.

I think the single spaced examples seem cramped and harder to read.

I think the tech expert did not know what he was talking about. It sure works better with 2 spaces for readability, IMO.
 
I use to use 2 spaces but I've long since switched to single.
 
larryselbows said:
In junior high, I was always taught to use two spaces after a period. On NPR today, a technology expert said to only use one because the two space rule was introduced during the type-writer era....

What do you guys use? I just don't want to look like an idiot on facebook.
Click to expand...

uh huh...
if only it were as simple as that ;-)
(j/k)


two spaces for me
 
colton said:
The expert is correct. The two space rule was because of fixed-width fonts. If you are using Courier, then by all means use two spaces. But if you use proportional-width fonts such as Times and Arial, then you should use one space.
Click to expand...


after looking at Log's sample, I completely disagree with the "expert" and I'd say that since Courier seems to be such a widely spaced font, it's excessive to add an extra space at the end of the sentence. But with the other two fonts (Arial and Times) it looks a bit crowded when there's just one space after the end of the sentence.


LogGrad98 said:
View attachment 364

Ok first time I ever uploaded from my comp to post an image. Click it and you will see a screen shot with the same test in Word. Interestingly enough, when I pasted it into Word, it took out the extra spaces.

I think the single spaced examples seem cramped and harder to read.

I think the tech expert did not know what he was talking about. It sure works better with 2 spaces for readability, IMO.
Click to expand...


As I recall, the reason for two spaces after a period at the end of a sentence was to differentiate from a period at the end of an abbreviation which is followed only by one space. I also recall learning that you shouldn't end a sentence with an abbreviation but to write the full word if it's at the end of the sentence. That way you don't end up with two periods in a row.
 
I was taught to use two in junior high, but I only use one because I don't follow the rules! The only time I use two is when I have to BS an essay for school, then I use two to take up more space. :o
 
I use two on the computer because old habits die hard. When texting I only use one because when I'm using the T9Word function, it automatically capitalizes the first letter after the period if there's only one space but doesn't if I use two.
 
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