Grammar geeks: One or two spaces between sentences?

[Stevendsmith]

I've been placing two spaces between sentences since I began typing, but I have recently been persuaded to use only one space. Two spaces were necessary when most word-processing was performed on typewriters, but word-processing software and proportional spacing eliminates the need for two spaces.

For those former two-spacers who switched to one space: how long did it take to break the two-space habit?

Also, is it necessary to place two spaces after a colon?

[Book Lover]

1. One! Only ever one

Two spaces is a Victorian typesetting affectation. One is plenty.

[skygazer]

2. I'm an old school typist

It is physically impossible for me to place less than two spaces either after a colon or at the end of a sentence. I'd make so many typos if I tried that, it wouldn't be worth it.

[Goldmund]

5. You just did

"...sentence. I'd..."

[miss_kitty]

12. no I'm a two spacer

this program doesn't allow two spaces once you post the message.

[skygazer]

18. Didn't

Even noticed it as I was doing it as that was the question. Must be the way it transfers when you post. Because I used two for these sentences as well.

[Goldmund]

31. Oh, my bad.

:)

[St. Jarvitude]

20. DU autoformats whitespace

Anything more than one space is reduced to one. I naturally type with two spaces after a sentence because the online game I code for has a style sheet requiring it.

[Goldmund]

3. I think that's a question of typing etiquette, not grammar.

I personally never use two spaces.

[LisaM]

4. Well, two, but Microsoft decided differently.

They only want one space after a colon too.

[miss_kitty]

29. you can change that prefence deep in the bowels of Word n/t

[htuttle]

6. Only use two for typewriters. Use one for computerized typesetting.

And you only use one space after a colon.

It took me a few weeks to stop using two spaces.

[Worst Username Ever]

7. Always two n/t

[NewHampshireDem]

8. Two spaces is visually more appealling and easier on the eyes

Typesetting is not about "affectation" but about performing a service for the reader. Two spaces makes for less-dense text and therefore aides the eye.

[Book Lover]

15. I have been setting type for over 12 years

both computer and metal type. I agree with the argument that two spaces disjoints the eye, as it creates a gap to be leapt over, rather than a space to be moved through.

[NewHampshireDem]

26. Yeah ... well, I guess there's only one way to settle this ...

PISTOLS AT DAWN!

[Book Lover]

33. I accept your challenge, sir!

My second shall be Robert Bringhurst, the great designer. Until tomorrow, then!

[NewHampshireDem]

35. "Oh, why did I have to slap someone who says 'Sir'?"

[question everything]

16. Agree. I always use two spaces.

I look at one space the same way as using no caps..

[kostya]

9. I'll use as many damn spaces as I please!

:hippie:

[Greylyn58]

10. I'm Studying To Become

a Medical Transcriptionists and it is two spaces...always.

[Iris]

11. Two!!!!! But I think the news automatically adjust after the period, no

matter how many spaces you use.

[Pirate Smile]

13. This is the first time I have ever heard anything about not using two

spaces after a sentence. When did this happen?

[billyoc]

14. With proportional fonts there is no reason to use two spaces,

although the standard is two spaces. IOW, who knows? :shrug:

[Us vs Them]

17. What is this one space chicanery?

Has my education betrayed me? We're talking MLA style here?

[MaineDem]

19. I always use 2 spaces (nt)

[NV Whino]

21. It's hard to break the two space habit

But the correct answer is one. Unless you are still using a dinosaur rather than a computer.

[SmileyBoy]

22. I have NEVER used two spaces after a sentence.

And I don't ever plan to. It's a lot easier for me to type using one space.

[Iris]

34. Yeah - who cares about the reader, right? n/t

[Speck Tater]

23. ithinkspacearejustabigwasteoftimeandspace

whybother?afterallmanyancientlanguageshadnospacesinthemandstillwecanreadthemtoday.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

32. Two spaces create rivers of "white" in typesetting parlance

When I first started dabbling in graphic and typesetting design many moons ago I was told you don't ever, ever put two spaces after a period due to the aforementioned river problem. It took me about two days to break myself from the old high school typewriting class drill. Just gives a nicer look to printed material and uses the space more efficiently. That'll be 2¢ please.

[Stevendsmith]

24. Video

This guy has strong feelings about not using two spaces--and underlining!

http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=112

Also, check out this Google search. Lot's of info on why two spaces is now obsolete.

http://tinyurl.com/6yxp6

[HEyHEY]

25. One for crying out loud

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. Two, Dammit, two!!! It's much easier to read.

I have a really hard time trying to do otherwise.

[meow2u3]

28. 2 spaces between sentences

You have to let us know where the first sentence ends and the next one begins. You see? Otherwise, it looks as though they're run-on sentences and many will have a hard time following what you're trying to write.

[HEyHEY]

30. Yes, after a period there should be two, but I think that is getting old

[fleabert]

36. HS typing class, late 80's, one space only. n/t

[CornField]

37. One space --- only one space.

Don't misuse the space because there's only so much on a page.

I was taught to use two spaces in high school. After two days on the job as a reporter I saw the error of my ways.

[VOX]

38. Two is cleaner, and easier on the eye of the reader.

And if the writing is intended to be read, that *should* be a consideration.

[Iris]

41. Thank you!

n/t

[confusionisnext]

43. one space! Ease of reading is in the eye of the beholder.

I think that people believe in the "two spaces make it easier to read" argument just because that's what we're taught, though it might have been true back in the day of the typewriter.

In ancient Greece and Rome they didn't even put spaces between their words.

[bri_in_austin]

39. Question:

For those of you who have never used 2 spaces, how old are you? Maybe those who have never used two spaces were never trained on old-school word processors or typewriters. I remember it took like three or fourkeystrokes to underline something back in the day...ah the memories.

Anyway, I will always use two spaces because I think my hands have become attached to the motion of it.

[KatyaR]

40. The Gregg Reference Manual says two . . .

but if you promise NEVER, EVER to type "it's" when you mean "its," I'll accept one. :argh:

That's my biggest pet peeve . . . .

[gollygee]

42. I automatically do two spaces.

I understand that the computer era has made that unnecessary, but I'm a creature of habit. Sue me. :D

[Queen Jane]

44. **fellow grammar geek**

Two spaces between sentences, always! One space after a comma, semicolon, or colon.

:shrug:

[RevolutionaryActs]

45. Always three spaces between each word! You fool

:silly:

[AlienGirl]

46. It took a long time

I grew up with the two-space habit, as well as the Oxford comma, and British spellings (which I learned from reading British mysteries as a kid)*. Computers prefer one space, though, so I have learned to go down to one space and use US-standard spellcheck to clear up my spelling. I also don't indent paragraphs anymore.

Two spaces are necessary after a colon if you use the two-space system.

Tucker

*I even managed to get my grade school teachers to accept British spellings in my papers.

(on edit: I am soo fried from school...)

[tridim]

47. Think of the trees..

One space instead of two after sentences probably removes two or three pages in the average book or newspaper. Multiply that by billions and it makes a difference. :) </semi-sarcasm>

[qnr]

48. Two n/t

[Groggy]

49. Two spaces for ease of reading after a period, but..

only one space after the colon: like so.