In typing, do you press space twice after ending a sentence?

Question

My friend and I have an argument about this. Not really, I had just never heard of this rule. As you can see, I press the period key and then hit space only once and then start a new sentence. She presses space twice. Is there an actual rule about this? If so, which one of us is correct? If there's not a rule, which one is generally considered "better?" I'm not asking for a general opinion, so unless you're a professor please back up what your opinion.

Answer 1

I am a professor, so I can tell you that it depends on what style you are using. In MLA, for example, you do use two spaces between sentences. However, in APA and other styles, only one space is required.

Answer 2

Usually people only do that in an academic setting. I work in communications and have been an editor of several community newspapers and when I would edit and write in that line of work, you don't use the double space because it messes up the spacing of the publication. Same is true for books and magazines. It would definitely look awkward. It's a hard habit to break though after getting out of school!

Answer 3

This is an old typing rule that seems to have been abandoned by word processors. It is the way that I learned. Possibly the origins are in set-type printing. The other punctuation mark you space twice after is the colon.

Answer 4

You're supposed to have two spaces behind every period/question mark/whatever. This was taught in they keyboarding class I took in middle school. I'll see if I can dig up a source that agrees with that...

I found a source that is a "how to" on writing dissertation papers. Papers don't get much more professional than that...

Answer 5

There used to be a rule like that in the days of typewriters. Now with word processing it doesn't get done anymore. I have not seen anyone do two spaces lately so I assume that is obsolete.

Answer 6

while you're ending your sentence with a era and then putting 2 areas, then this question confuses me. Grammatical policies say which you're meant to try this. i in my opinion not at all do, despite the fact that it extremely is the appropriate component to do. the elementary thank you to be certain the place you place the two areas in could be to flow on your toolbar and click the "paragraph" button. It sounds like a capital "P" with an added line by it. it extremely is going to tutor you the place all your areas are interior the checklist. everywhere there are 2 areas, there'll be 2 of the symbols. or you ought to do the locate and replace component.

Answer 7

The way I learned it in school and the way that I have always done it ever since is one space after the comma and two spaces after a period.

Answer 8

I worked as an editor for two years compiling research data for a large university. Yes, space after sentences. It makes your worke easier to read and lessens eye strain on your reader.

Answer 9

my computer teacher says:
use a double space
(and line spacing between paragraphs)

my english teacher says:
use one space
(and no line spacing between paragraphs)

it's down to aesthetics
i would say 1 space, as that's what Word corrects to
but in official computing coursework then you need 2

Answer 10

Either one is generally accepted. Check out the website below for more...