After a sentence, do you use one space or two?

[Anubis]

142 people do it wrong

 

[Amused]

I use two spaces between sentences simply because I find it easier to read and skim that way.

I don't think either is "wrong" or "right." It's a matter of preference.

 

[acole1]

Just google "one space or two after period" and you will find most of the results say that the correct answer is ONE space.

For their arguments as to why, read the articles.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: BW86
two - I was taught that all through elementary school and college.

That only matters with block-face type. With the invention of ... nevermind, I forget what it's called. Most fonts space letters differently based on the previous letter for readability. That's what killed the 2 space thing.

Variable width font (vs. fixed width/monospace font).

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
Always two, even if I'm just neffing on ATOT. I guess I'm just anal about grammer.

It's not a grammar issue. I'd say it's a style issue, especially since both are technically correct (most style guides prefer a single space, but accept two spaces as correct).

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

As long as it's not online I generally use two spaces. That's the way I was taught. The reason I use one online is because I used to make web pages and unless you explicitly typed in & nbsp; it would remove any additional whitespace. I don't really think it matters how you type your shit as long as you're consistent with it. Two spaces after a period. One space after a period. ?x?? u?op ?pisdn. txet sdrawkcab.

 

[imported_Relentless]

Two.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: Shawn
One. I didn't grow up in the stone ages when all people had were typewriters.

i didnt either, but i learned two spaces. i also, later on, was taught that one was sufficient. if i were writing formally i would revert back to two most likely, just to follow that old convention. i, also, love to over use the comma, especially in forum posts, like this one.

 

[Arcadio]

I laugh at people making it seem like typing two spaces after a period is idiotic and a waste of time...

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
KT, you're supposed to put periods and commas inside the quotes, not outside. So when you posted

'you'.

it should have read

'you.'

People do this a lot.

Nitpicky, yes, but isn't that what grammar is all about? :laugh:

i was taught to put them outside the "". but i always wondered, what if you were stating something like:

John told me that Cathy said, "what size is that cock ring?".

when i got to college level it changed to punct. inside the quotes. i think my early teacher wasnt too up on it.

 

[MaxDepth]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
I laugh at people making it seem like typing two spaces after a period is idiotic and a waste of time...

Yeah, I wondered about that comment too. I'm sure the picosecond of tapping the space bar two times keeps one's life from being so much more enriched and more exciting.

Two spaces were in the old writing manuals as a matter of correct form. Since the advent of constant, reproducable results from printers and electronic communications has reduced the need for additional spacing.

 

[acole1]

Not sure if people are more or less fulfilled by hitting the space bar twice... but IMO it looks retarded.

If it's edited out, feel free to do it to your heart's content.

 

[nerp]

If you write for publication, you realize how frivolous it is. Not only does it waste valuable page space, editors and proofreaders are burdened over something trivial and tedious. I guess if all you ever write is forum posts and college papers, who cares, but if you ever want to get published beyond blogspot, i'd suggest ridding yourself of the habit.

 

[drinkmorejava]

Gah, I hate this topic. Someone already mentioned APA style says one.
MLA used to be two, now it either says one and two are okay, or just one. I don't remember.

It's an antiquated concept held over from block lettering. Word processors got rid of that problem a while ago.

 

[dighn]

I have never intentionally used two spaces after each sentence ever, and I have never heard any complaint about it even from English professors. What the hell is this?!

 

[TreyRandom]

One space. As described above, publishers will require that you use a single space between sentences. I currently write technology training products for a living, and every employer I've written for requires a single space between sentences.

 

[Itchrelief]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Serial comma:
My three favorite fruits are mangos, bananas, and tangerines.

No serial comma:
My three favorite fruits are mangos, bananas and tangerines.

In American English, you're supposed to use the serial comma. In UK English, you do not. There are a few situations where it helps reduce confusion, and even fewer where it could conceivably increase confusion, but in general it's just a matter of style (and again, consistency is the most important thing here - either use it throughout your paper or omit it throughout).

I admit that I am no grammar expert. However, sentences such as the following make me very angry when I am reading my morning newspaper and my head is still half asleep:

My three favorite combinations of fruits are mangos and bananas, bananas and tangerines and tangerines and kiwis.

 

[JujuFish]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
KT, you're supposed to put periods and commas inside the quotes, not outside. So when you posted

'you'.

it should have read

'you.'

People do this a lot.

Nitpicky, yes, but isn't that what grammar is all about? :laugh:

No, it's a matter of style. Personally, I can't stand your preference, because the period is not a part of the phrase inside the quotation mark.

 

[irishScott]

2 always. The whole point is to clearly separate the sentences.

Sample sentence. I like pie. Don't you? I thought so.

Sample sentence. I like pie. Don't you? I thought so.

Edit: damn forum bug

 

[Kelemvor]

Anyone taught before computers were used everywhere should have been trained with 2. But in the past few years it probably changed since people just want to type as little as possible. I always use two because it's easier to read when you have the extra space between sentences. But then some websites remove the spaces anyway so this will probably only show up with 1.

 

[ppdes]

Randomspacingisbest.

 

[jhbball]

The answer is two.