Are you supposed to use two spaces after a period?
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more
40more
Lucas Lee
Works at the International Air Transport Association, Lives in Montreal, Canada.
As a language expert with a deep understanding of typographical conventions and their evolution, I can provide a comprehensive answer to your question about the use of two spaces after a period in modern writing.
The practice of using two spaces after a period, known as "double-spacing," was a typographical convention that emerged with the advent of the typewriter. The reason for this was simple: early typewriters had monospaced fonts, meaning that each character took up the same amount of horizontal space. This included punctuation marks like periods, which were the same width as the letter 'i'. As a result, it was difficult to distinguish between the end of a sentence and the end of a word without the extra space. The double space served as a visual cue to separate sentences clearly.
However, with the rise of computerized word processing and the development of proportional fonts, this rule became less relevant. Proportional fonts, which are now standard in most word processors, allocate different amounts of space to different characters. This means that periods and other punctuation marks are visibly distinct from letters, eliminating the need for the extra space to separate sentences.
The shift away from double-spacing has been endorsed by several authoritative style guides. For instance, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, which is widely used by journalists, dropped the double-space rule in 2016. The Modern Language Association (MLA) also recommends a single space after periods in their latest guidelines. Additionally, the Chicago Manual of Style, while traditionally advocating for double-spacing in the past, has adapted to the changing times and now also recommends a single space in most cases.
It's important to note that while the single-space rule is widely accepted in digital and print publications, there may still be some instances where double-spacing is used or required. For example, in academic papers or certain types of business documents, older style guides or specific institutional requirements might still call for double-spacing. It's always a good idea to check the guidelines for the specific context in which you are writing.
In conclusion, unless you are typing on an actual typewriter or adhering to a specific style guide that requires double-spacing, the general rule in modern writing is to use a single space after a period. This convention is supported by the capabilities of modern word processing and the use of proportional fonts, which make it easy to distinguish between sentences without the need for additional spacing.
The practice of using two spaces after a period, known as "double-spacing," was a typographical convention that emerged with the advent of the typewriter. The reason for this was simple: early typewriters had monospaced fonts, meaning that each character took up the same amount of horizontal space. This included punctuation marks like periods, which were the same width as the letter 'i'. As a result, it was difficult to distinguish between the end of a sentence and the end of a word without the extra space. The double space served as a visual cue to separate sentences clearly.
However, with the rise of computerized word processing and the development of proportional fonts, this rule became less relevant. Proportional fonts, which are now standard in most word processors, allocate different amounts of space to different characters. This means that periods and other punctuation marks are visibly distinct from letters, eliminating the need for the extra space to separate sentences.
The shift away from double-spacing has been endorsed by several authoritative style guides. For instance, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, which is widely used by journalists, dropped the double-space rule in 2016. The Modern Language Association (MLA) also recommends a single space after periods in their latest guidelines. Additionally, the Chicago Manual of Style, while traditionally advocating for double-spacing in the past, has adapted to the changing times and now also recommends a single space in most cases.
It's important to note that while the single-space rule is widely accepted in digital and print publications, there may still be some instances where double-spacing is used or required. For example, in academic papers or certain types of business documents, older style guides or specific institutional requirements might still call for double-spacing. It's always a good idea to check the guidelines for the specific context in which you are writing.
In conclusion, unless you are typing on an actual typewriter or adhering to a specific style guide that requires double-spacing, the general rule in modern writing is to use a single space after a period. This convention is supported by the capabilities of modern word processing and the use of proportional fonts, which make it easy to distinguish between sentences without the need for additional spacing.
2024-05-14 09:54:19
reply(1)
Helpful(1122)
Helpful
Helpful(2)
Studied at University of Chicago, Lives in Chicago, IL
Unless you are typing on an actual typewriter, you no longer have to put two spaces after a period. Or a question mark. Or an exclamation point. The rule applies to all end punctuation.Aug 12, 2014
2023-06-10 07:15:00
Emily Stewart
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Unless you are typing on an actual typewriter, you no longer have to put two spaces after a period. Or a question mark. Or an exclamation point. The rule applies to all end punctuation.Aug 12, 2014
