Comments on: One Space or Two? http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:23:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Thomas http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-96472 Thomas Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:59:39 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-96472 To Mike and Ken: Typesetting programs (I use Latex for scientific manuscripts) usually create a elongated space after a period. If this must be avoided (eg, after a.m.), a special character is required to suppress this function. It's extra work, but creates reliable and pleasant output. To Mike and Ken:
Typesetting programs (I use Latex for scientific manuscripts) usually create a elongated space after a period. If this must be avoided (eg, after a.m.), a special character is required to suppress this function. It's extra work, but creates reliable and pleasant output.

]]> By: Justin http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-96427 Justin Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:36:24 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-96427 I'm only 29, so it'd be tough to make the argument that I'm "from the old school". Yet, throughout elementary and high school I was always taught to use two spaces at the end of every sentence. That basic rule was never really questioned, at all... by anyone. In fact, I only realized that this standard had changed when I was reviewing some of my fiance's writing a few months ago. She heard the classic "thump thump" and asked what I was doing. I told her that she had accidentally left only one space between her sentences. A debate ensued over the proper way to separate sentences, and I was rather startled to find that most authorities on the matter agreed with her "one-space" argument. Nonetheless, I will probably continue using two spaces at the end of a sentence until the day I die. It's not so much a matter of choice... I just do it unconsciously these days. It's literally so ingrained in my process of typing that to stop now would be more trouble than it's really worth. Ultimately, I don't hold any strong views as to whether or not two spaces or one space ought to be used. It really doesn't matter all that much, and seems to me to be quite trivial. Thus, it makes little difference to me that I use two spaces between sentences instead of the single space dictated by pesky rule-makers with way too much time on their hands. I'm only 29, so it'd be tough to make the argument that I'm "from the old school". Yet, throughout elementary and high school I was always taught to use two spaces at the end of every sentence. That basic rule was never really questioned, at all… by anyone.

In fact, I only realized that this standard had changed when I was reviewing some of my fiance's writing a few months ago. She heard the classic "thump thump" and asked what I was doing. I told her that she had accidentally left only one space between her sentences. A debate ensued over the proper way to separate sentences, and I was rather startled to find that most authorities on the matter agreed with her "one-space" argument.

Nonetheless, I will probably continue using two spaces at the end of a sentence until the day I die. It's not so much a matter of choice… I just do it unconsciously these days. It's literally so ingrained in my process of typing that to stop now would be more trouble than it's really worth. Ultimately, I don't hold any strong views as to whether or not two spaces or one space ought to be used. It really doesn't matter all that much, and seems to me to be quite trivial. Thus, it makes little difference to me that I use two spaces between sentences instead of the single space dictated by pesky rule-makers with way too much time on their hands.

]]> By: Neil http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-96270 Neil Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:51:52 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-96270 I'm going to start using three spaces. Like this. Ha! I'm going to start using three spaces. Like this. Ha!

]]> By: Plinko http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-95149 Plinko Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:34:12 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-95149 I've seen the counterargument about periods within a sentence. However, just like any issue with a sentence that might impair comprehension or readability, these instances should simply be rewritten. There are plenty of precedents for this. It's much easier to rewrite the infrequent issues that might be confusing - as opposed to changing punctuation and typography rules across the board for a language. The holistic change would also impact readability. For more information on that, see the below Wikipedia article. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentence_spacing" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentence_spacing</a> I've seen the counterargument about periods within a sentence. However, just like any issue with a sentence that might impair comprehension or readability, these instances should simply be rewritten. There are plenty of precedents for this. It's much easier to rewrite the infrequent issues that might be confusing – as opposed to changing punctuation and typography rules across the board for a language. The holistic change would also impact readability. For more information on that, see the below Wikipedia article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentence_spacing

]]> By: D. C. Toedt http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-94708 D. C. Toedt Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:02:03 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-94708 I became a convert to ragged right a number of years ago, but I continue to use two spaces after a period. Why? So that the skimming reader, in search of a specific thought, point, etc., can more readily jump from sentence to sentence. I became a convert to ragged right a number of years ago, but I continue to use two spaces after a period. Why? So that the skimming reader, in search of a specific thought, point, etc., can more readily jump from sentence to sentence.

]]> By: Ken Adams http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-92768 Ken Adams Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:27:50 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-92768 Mike: Professional typographers don't see any benefit to using in a word-processing document two spaces between every sentence in an uncertain attempt to address the issue you raise. I agree with them. As for your question, I'm not qualified to answer with any certainty. Ken Mike: Professional typographers don’t see any benefit to using in a word-processing document two spaces between every sentence in an uncertain attempt to address the issue you raise. I agree with them.

As for your question, I’m not qualified to answer with any certainty.

Ken

]]> By: Mike Friedman http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-92767 Mike Friedman Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:45:30 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-92767 It’s 5 a.m.  I am going to sleep. It’s 5 a.m. and I am going to sleep. This is why I have always used two spaces after a “.” and always will until word processors become smart enough to recognize and specially handle the end of a sentence. I wonder—does a professionally typeset document really use the same space after a period in a sentence as it does between two sentences? It’s 5 a.m.  I am going to sleep.

It’s 5 a.m. and I am going to sleep.

This is why I have always used two spaces after a “.” and always will until word processors become smart enough to recognize and specially handle the end of a sentence.

I wonder—does a professionally typeset document really use the same space after a period in a sentence as it does between two sentences?

]]> By: Alex http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-53536 Alex Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:32:31 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-53536 Geographical feedback: I was surprised by this discussion (came here from the post about <em>justified vs. ragged right</em>), in my area (I think "ex-USSR" and "Eastern Europe" are the closest descriptions) there is no such issue. One space after a period, and it would never occur to me to use two spaces instead. Final thoughts - the blog is interesting, I'm positively impressed by the fact that such issues are discussed by "law people". Geographical feedback: I was surprised by this discussion (came here from the post about justified vs. ragged right), in my area (I think “ex-USSR” and “Eastern Europe” are the closest descriptions) there is no such issue. One space after a period, and it would never occur to me to use two spaces instead.

Final thoughts – the blog is interesting, I’m positively impressed by the fact that such issues are discussed by “law people”.

]]> By: Laura Cardinal http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-11044 Laura Cardinal Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:18:11 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-11044 I learned to type on a manual typewriter, in the 1960's. Of course we "thump-thumped" at the end of every sentence. I usually do, to this day. I am trying to stop, but I find the finished product more difficult to read. In a long piece, therefore, especially something written for an older judge, I leave lots of white space. Thump-thump. I learned to type on a manual typewriter, in the 1960′s. Of course we “thump-thumped” at the end of every sentence. I usually do, to this day. I am trying to stop, but I find the finished product more difficult to read. In a long piece, therefore, especially something written for an older judge, I leave lots of white space. Thump-thump.

]]> By: Ken Adams http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/comment-page-1/#comment-3280 Ken Adams Thu, 05 Apr 2007 22:27:53 +0000 http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2006/10/30/one-space-or-two/#comment-3280 Heidi: I can think of three reasons not to adopt the convention you suggest. First, fully justifying text is a bad idea, as it makes it harder to read. (I'll be writing about this at some point.) Second, if you nevertheless switch between left justification and full justification, you'd have to adjust the spacing after punctuation; that would be a tremendous nuisance. And third, typographer's aversion to two spaces bears no relation to how the text is justified. Ken Heidi: I can think of three reasons not to adopt the convention you suggest. First, fully justifying text is a bad idea, as it makes it harder to read. (I’ll be writing about this at some point.) Second, if you nevertheless switch between left justification and full justification, you’d have to adjust the spacing after punctuation; that would be a tremendous nuisance. And third, typographer’s aversion to two spaces bears no relation to how the text is justified. Ken

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