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You are here: Home / Grammar / Typing: One Space or Two?

Typing: One Space or Two?

May 18, 2010 By Administrator

500-bronzesunflowerThe subject of using one space or two between sentences, especially for people used to typing exclusively on typewriters, often creates colorful conflict.

Here’s the history: when monospace (fixed-pitch) fonts, like Courier, were in wide use, it was traditional to leave two spaces between the period and the start of the next sentence. There were definite rules for people who typed documents.

The rules have changed. Today we generally use proportional fonts (in which the width of the characters varies). Monospace fonts are more often used in databases, tables, etc.

Here’s the latest commonly accepted standard in the world of typography: choose one space as a rule unless two spaces are needed to create an adequate visual break between sentences.

There are exceptions. When the fonts are quite small (for example, a 9-10 pt serif font like Times New Roman), using only one space after the period may not always provide a clear visual break between sentences. Generally a larger point size does provide that visual break. When in doubt, use your own judgment.

Filed Under: Grammar, Writing

Comments

  1. Ruthann Clemens says

    May 18, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    This is very helpful. I had employer that wanted two spaces at the end of a sentence. This was very difficult. The employer finally decided that this procedure did slow down the speed of the typist.

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