Come to find out, the "two space" theory has changed. Maybe I'm naieve but I didn't know something like that could change. Who decides when it does? I guess, they add new words to the dictionary all the time (not sure who decides that either) so why not change grammar?
Anyway, thought you might find it interesting as well.
The following was taken from the Grammar Girl website.
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Now here's our first listener question.
Yes, the caller is correct and he's also right that a lot of people haven't heard about the change.
Two Spaces After a Period -- The Old Way
Here's the deal: Most typewriter fonts are what are called monospaced fonts. That means every character takes up the same amount of space. An "i" takes up as much space as an "m," for example. When using a monospaced font, where everything is the same width, it makes sense to type two spaces after a period at the end of a sentence to create a visual break. For that reason, people who learned to type on a typewriter were taught to put two spaces after a period at the end of a sentence.
One Space After a Period - The New Way
But when you're typing on a computer, most fonts are proportional fonts, which means that characters are different widths. An "i" is more narrow than an "m," for example, and putting extra space between sentences doesn't do anything to improve readability.
Notice how in this example, the "i's" and "t" take up much less space in the proportional font than they do in the monospaced font.
Although how many spaces you use is ultimately a style choice, using one space is by far the most widely accepted and logical style. The Chicago Manual of Style (1), the AP Stylebook (2), and the Modern Language Association (3) all recommend using one space after a period at the end of a sentence. Furthermore, page designers have written in begging me to encourage people to use one space because if you send them a document with two spaces after the periods, they have to go in and take all the extra spaces out.
I know it's a hard habit to break if you were trained to use two spaces, but if you can, give one space a try.
There you have it, your grammar lesson for the day, whether you wanted it or not!
That is crazy!!! I've always put 2 spaces after a period...and my typing class was on a computer. Who knew?!?
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering that age old question! LOL
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm showing my age as I was taught 2 spaces after a period in TYPING class. Never too late to learn something new!
ReplyDeleteI have always used two. Thanks! I'll try to change my ways, but I can't promise. Old dogs have a hard time learning new tricks! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI was painfully trained to type on an old, black standard typewriter. The first time I used an electric, I thought I had arrived. We went from that to the word processor, and boy was that a science. I was taught the two space way, but have turned to one because two leaves such a large gap. Glad it works.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Who would have thunk it? Oh, I don't guess that is good grammer! Ha! I always use 2 spaces also.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard about this before. And I think Outlook at work gives me the squiggly line when I only use one space. I'm going to test it tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI always use one - it's the way of the web. Less characters.
ReplyDeleteOld habits die hard. Especially with old women. And I'm an old woman with an old habit! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteI was taught 2 spaces in typing class but then in the early 80s when I began using a computer word processor, I learned to only use one space. I guess I thought it was common knowledge - hmmmm, never assume anything!
ReplyDeleteThirty two years ago, learning to type on that old manual Remington we learned two spaces.
ReplyDeleteI think this old dog will keep her two spaces until she retires.
Thanks for confirming I'm not crazy, Lori. I just started a new job about a month ago and all the letters they have are typed with 2 spaces after the period. I say "no", the boss says "yes". I'll probably conform until I feel more job security, but at least I feel better. :-)
ReplyDeleteI do the two spaces and noticed my computer changes it to one. I like two spaces, especially on the computer. The words look less jumbled together with two. Guess my eyes are old like my grammar skills.
ReplyDeleteI do the two spaces and it will drive me crazy to think I have to change to one space. A hard habit to break. I enjoyed reading your posts about New Orleans. Great city.
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad that you notice the details like that too!! I was also taught to put two spaces after a period...I was taught that when you're typing a list of things, you put commas after each item, EXCEPT that last one, the one before the "and". Guess what!? Now you put commas after every single word in the list! Never mind that a whole bunch of letters have changed when you're writing cursive. Does this mean we're getting old??!!
ReplyDeletePS...I still do it the old way...don't tell anyone! Not everything has to change!
ReplyDeleteNew to me! I had never heard this until reading it here Lori. I took typing all through HS and College and it was the old way. Showing my age!
ReplyDeleteMary