Do you ever find yourself wondering how many spaces should follow a period? Is it one or two? It’s a common question that many of us have asked ourselves at one time or another.
In this blog, we’ll explore this topic and provide an answer to the question: How many spaces go after a period, one or two? We’ll look at the history of this convention, the current standards, and the best practices to follow.
We’ll also provide some helpful tips on how to ensure you’re using the correct number of spaces in your writing. So if you’ve ever been curious about this topic, keep reading to learn more!
Contents
History of the debate: how did this controversy begin
For a long time now, the debate around the correct number of spaces to use after a period has been raging. Depending on which part of the world you come from, the number of spaces – one or two – varies greatly.
The controversy of “how many spaces go after a period – one or two?” has been discussed by people from all walks of life since the typewriter era. The controversy started during the manual typewriter era in the late 19th century.
There was a malfunction in the typewriters at the time resulting in a default setting of two spaces after full stops. This minor hiccup became such a sensation that it was adopted by some as the ‘correct’ setting for typewriter users. With the advent of the personal computer and word processing programs, the need to differentiate between different font size was zilch.
This gave rise to the one space setting as it was the standard setting for computer users. However, the two space setting still held on, with some people finding the one space cleaner, sharper and more aesthetically pleasing.
It is still argued by many how two spaces are no longer necessary. In conclusion, both sides of the debate still hold some merit – though the one space style may be considered the more standard option today.
Also, as more people become experienced in the digital realm, this style is more widely preferred and used on a regular basis. Whether one space or two, the choice is yours.
Pros and cons of using one space after a period
:When it comes to punctuation, one question remains persistent in the minds of many writers: How many spaces go after a period, one or two? In this blog, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of using just one space after a period. One major pro of using one space after a period is that it is the modern style of typing.
Since the advent of digital writing, most writers—both casual and professional—now use just one space after a period. Using two spaces is an outdated convention from the days of typewriters and will make any writing appear antiquated.
One potential con of using one space after a period is that the spacing between sentences may appear too spaced out for certain readers. The space between sentences is meant to provide the reader with a break and to help them separate when one thought ends and another begins.
When one space is used, that break may not be as evident and make reading a piece more difficult than it has to be. In short, the most accepted style among modern writers is to use just one space after a period. It’s what is expected by readers and editors these days, and it will make your writing look contemporary and professional.
Two spaces may make your writing seem outdated and hamper the reader’s ability to distinguish sentences.
Pros and cons of using two spaces after a period
Most people are taught to use two spaces after a period when typing content. This practice, known as “two-space” typing, is commonly used when typing letters and other documents.
However, some people still debate the pros and cons of using two spaces after a period. The traditional argument in support of two-space typing is that it helps to emphasize each new thought more clearly. This extra space gives the reader a “pause” while they read, making it easier to separate each thought and clearly move through the material.
Additionally, the extra space allows each sentence to stand out more clearly, making it easier to read the text at a glance. On the other hand, some typographers and writers believe that single-spacing is the way to go. They argue that two-spacing was popularized during a time where typewriters only used one font, so the extra space helped readers to identify each sentence easily.
Today, however, with computers and devices that can display multiple fonts, typographers feel that single-spacing should be sufficient. Furthermore, they state that it is more aesthetically pleasing, since the text looks cleaner and easier to read with fewer spaces.
Ultimately, the decision to use one or two spaces after a period is a stylistic choice. Whichever choice you make, consistency is key—you should be consistent throughout your writing. Although two spaces may feel more familiar to some readers, the single-space option is becoming the new industry standard, so you may want to consider giving it a try.
Resources: where to find more information on the debate
onlyThe topic of whether there should be one or two spaces after a period is one that has been often argued for many years. Of course, the main argument lies in whether one can make the sentence easier to read and comprehend if the punctuation is broken up into separate pieces with one space, or if it gives a greater impact to the words if there is a double space after each period.
In this blog post, we will look at both sides of the argument in more detail, as well as provide some resources for those who would like to further their knowledge on the debate. The most common argument for having one space after a period is that it is what is used in typewriters and computers. As it is much easier and more efficient to type only one character after a period instead of two, this argument makes a lot of sense.
It is also easier to clean up any spacing errors that might occur, and having the same number of spaces throughout pages of text can avoid any formatting confusion. In addition, one space after a period is widely accepted in most publications, including newspapers, magazines, and books.
In contrast, some claim that having two spaces after a period helps to improve readability. It gives each sentence more emphasis, which in turn makes it easier to discern where one sentence ends and the other begins. Proper spacing also helps add a sense of clarity to the sentences, thus making the content easier to digest.
It also makes the text visually appealing to the reader, as it creates a more ‘open’ look to the words. For those who would like to learn more about this debate, there are some great resources available. One option is to look up articles written by experts on the matter, as these will usually provide a more balanced view as to why one should use one or two spaces after a period.
Furthermore, there are also some blog posts that delve into this topic in more depth, providing more detailed analysis and a closer look at the different opinions held by those on either side. Finally, checking online forums and discussion boards can offer more opinions and arguments to consider when deciding which side of the argument appeals more to you.
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Final Touch
This article discussed the question of how many spaces should go after a period. It concluded that one space is the accepted standard for most writing, but two spaces may be preferred by some people.
Regardless of which option is chosen, the important thing is to be consistent in order to maintain readability and clarity.
FAQ
How many spaces should be used after a semicolon?
No spaces should be used after a semicolon.
Is it necessary to use two spaces after a colon?
No, it is not necessary to use two spaces after a colon.
Is it acceptable to use one space after a question mark?
No, it is not acceptable to use one space after a question mark. The correct way is to use two spaces after a question mark.
How many spaces should be used after an exclamation mark?
No spaces should be used after an exclamation mark.
Is it necessary to use two spaces after a quotation mark?
No, it is not necessary to use two spaces after a quotation mark.
Is it acceptable to use one space after a dash?
No, it is not acceptable to use one space after a dash. The correct way is to use two spaces after a dash.
