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 :)
"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.
ReplyDeleteI've always used one and I don't really know why.
ReplyDeleteAlways 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.
ReplyDeleteTwo 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.
ReplyDeleteOne, now. I was taught to use two, but that was in the typewriter era. Ages ago!
ReplyDeleteSo 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?
ReplyDeleteTwo 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteTo 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.
ReplyDeleteHowever, 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.
ReplyDeleteI can't do just one space - it's been automatic for so long.
Thoughtful blog, thanks for posting
ReplyDelete