one or two spaces after periods?

[Anonymous]

is there a rule about this. i am 33 and have always put just one space after a period for as long as i can remember. some of my older work colleagues put two and end it ends up creating problems when we are working on docs together.

care to weigh in?

[Anonymous]

I think you are supposed to put two.

[Anonymous]

You're supposed to put two, but none of my co-workers seem to get it right.

[Anonymous]

When we were taught to type on typewriters, the rule was two spaces. In the digital age, my understanding from copy editor friends is that the rule is ONE space.

[Anonymous]

2 is the standard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we were taught to type on typewriters, the rule was two spaces. In the digital age, my understanding from copy editor friends is that the rule is ONE space.

I'm a copyeditor and freelance proofreader. This is correct. The rule is one space.

You can look it up in the latest AP Stylebook if you like - it's page 331.

[Anonymous]

Semi-pro editor here: though MLA standards say either is correct, they offer a good rationale for just using one space. That's what I do.

[jsteele]

I don't want to get into any arguments with copyeditors -- especially because I'll probably make at least five mistakes in this message alone -- but I believe the advice about using one space in the digital age only applies when using proportional fonts. Since most word processing does use proportional fonts, one space after a period should be the norm. However, if for some reason you decide to type in a monospaced font such as courier, you probably want to use two spaces after a period (the same as with a typewriter).

[Anonymous]

I was afraid that this had changed. I grew up with two spaces and I had seen it done differently enough places that I was wondering whether it was a lack of knowledge on the part of the writer (like the sloppy use of scare quotes) or whether there had been a stylistic change.

I hate change.

I don't want to grow up and use only one space.
I don't want to wear a tie.

But I guess I'll adjust to this one. When there are earthquakes in Italy and worldwide recession and people suffering from malnutrition, really, what difference does it make in the scheme of things?

[Anonymous]

I thought it was a stylistic choice or generational.

[Anonymous]

I will never stop using two spaces after a period.

NEVER!!!!

[Anonymous]

It is supposed to be one. But many people are still stuck in the stone age and thus do two.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I don't want to get into any arguments with copyeditors -- especially because I'll probably make at least five mistakes in this message alone -- but I believe the advice about using one space in the digital age only applies when using proportional fonts. Since most word processing does use proportional fonts, one space after a period should be the norm. However, if for some reason you decide to type in a monospaced font such as courier, you probably want to use two spaces after a period (the same as with a typewriter).

What is Times New Roman? Proportional or not? Just curious.

I still put two after a period and let my secretary correct it. I wonder if that's one of my very many annoying habits she hates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What is Times New Roman? Proportional or not? Just curious.

I still put two after a period and let my secretary correct it. I wonder if that's one of my very many annoying habits she hates.

She probably hates being called your secretary. Speaking of the stone age...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What is Times New Roman? Proportional or not? Just curious.

I still put two after a period and let my secretary correct it. I wonder if that's one of my very many annoying habits she hates.

She probably hates being called your secretary. Speaking of the stone age...

That's her official title, what else should I call her?