Sunday, 17 October 2010
One space or two?
So runs the long standing debate: after the period at the end of a sentence, should you use one space or two before starting the next? I say one, and hate two. Vaulting used to use two, but I think I may have nagged her into submission on this front. What say you, blogizens? Post your opinions in the comment thread :)
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11 comments:
"Two spaces" was ingrained into my head at an early age (I have no idea why this seemed like an important like skill). I really don't like it, but I can't seem to shake the habit.
I've always used one and I don't really know why.
Always and forever 2. Even when texting or tweeting. Just like it was beat into my head that when you list several things, you put a comma before the and. For example, I also blog, write, tweet, and text with 2 spaces at the beginning of a sentence.
Two is left over from typewriters where every letter and such occupied the same space. Computers now kern letters and it's not useful or a good idea to leave two spaces. Personally, I don't think it was ever a good idea.
One, now. I was taught to use two, but that was in the typewriter era. Ages ago!
So not counting Vaulting and myself, that's 3 and 2, with one space in the lead. I should make a survey doohickey. Anybody know how to do that?
Two doesn't look bad or anything but it's not necessary. I did learn to type on a typewriter, indeed I still have one, but no-one ever taught me that rule and I've always used only one space. My 2pworth.
I was taught two on the typewriter and can't break myself of the habit, but have to take them out of text submitted for publication. (Indeed, editors and style guides make a point of bringing this up, knowing that we typewriter-trained touch typists are still out there and will be for a good long time.) Anyway, I use search-and-replace to take them out.
To sum up: 2 was for typewriters and I still do it; 1 is for electronic writing and preferred by publishers I've dealt with.
I usually use two in papers and emails, and anytime I'm not thinking about it. I learned to do in typing class in 9th grade, on some kind of green-screen terminal--no kerning there, to be sure (in reference to Tommy's post.) I find it makes the chunks of text easier on the eyes.
However, I break my rule when the two sentences I'm writing don't quite deserve a semicolon to link them, but I still think they should be cozy. When doing design (posters, etc.) I never use two, either, for the aforementioned kerning/spacing reason.
Two spaces. I learned on a manual typewriter, and the reasoning was that two spaces made each sentence stand out better.
I can't do just one space - it's been automatic for so long.
Thoughtful blog, thanks for posting
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