Are You Doing It Wrong? The Two-Space Rule Controversy

[KW McCabe]

Original Post HERE

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Are You Doing It Wrong?

So I was reading this article about the proper amount of spacing to use after a period. And wouldn't you know but all of us have had it wrong! How many of you use two spaces after a period? I used to use only one space- but after getting chewed out by my editor, I have used two spaces after periods ever since.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I came across this article, Space Invaders: Why you should never, ever use two spaces after a p... by Farhad Manjoo. In this article, he discusses the history of the monospace rule, how the two space rule came into being, and why we all have been getting it wrong.

I'm going to do my best to follow the one space rule from now on. And I might just send my editor the memo, "You Got It Wrong."

[DrDLN]

Two space is more common and that's what I use. But I don't think, it makes much difference if you use one or two spaces.

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"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly": http://amzn.to/dMBLWW

[Richard Lee Byers]

As someone else noted, the two-space rule is left over from the days of the typewriter, and you should only use it if you are writing on a typewriter. Any modern word processor (meaning any program running on your computer) adjusts spacing automatically for optimal appearance after a period, and you screw that up if you space twice. This will make your self-published eBooks look clunky and make more work for folks at the publishing house if you go the traditional publishing route. In either situation, you will look less professional than you want to look.

[Tina "The Book Lady"]

Very interesting - I didn't know word processors/computers changed it to look right! 

[Tina "The Book Lady"]

I think who ever mentioned the 2 spaces was a hold over from typewriter days was right. I was taught on an electric typewriter (we were technically forward back then!) - we were still taught the 2 space rule. My last main job they used to get after me because I used the 2 space rule. That was the only rule I'd ever heard about - they're answer "who ever told you to use two spaces?" - they were awful company to work for too. So I kind of ignored them and kept with the 2 spaces. I haven't any clue what I'm doing now. I think I'm just doing 1 space while I write this - so I guess I changed over at some point. =D To be honest, I don't really care - if it looks good to me I'll do it - and if someone complains - well, it's my blog. (Can you tell I've had a migraine for 4 days now?)

Thanks for an interesting conversation! Tina 'the book lady'

http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com

http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com

[Mark R Hunter]

I used two spaces ... but I also used a manual typewriter. Over the last decade or so I've worked hard to get out of the habit, so I don't backslide often.