Posted on 03/27/2011 5:42:59 PM PDT by Yardstick
Can I let you in on a secret? Typing two spaces after a period is totally, completely, utterly, and inarguably wrong.
And yet people who use two spaces are everywhere, their ugly error crossing every social boundary of class, education, and taste.[snip]
What galls me about two-spacers isn't just their numbers. It's their certainty that they're right. Over Thanksgiving dinner last year, I asked people what they considered to be the "correct" number of spaces between sentences. The diners included doctors, computer programmers, and other highly accomplished professionals. Everyone—everyone!—said it was proper to use two spaces. Some people admitted to slipping sometimes and using a single space—but when writing something formal, they were always careful to use two. Others explained they mostly used a single space but felt guilty for violating the two-space "rule." Still others said they used two spaces all the time, and they were thrilled to be so proper. When I pointed out that they were doing it wrong—that, in fact, the correct way to end a sentence is with a period followed by a single, proud, beautiful space—the table balked. "Who says two spaces is wrong?" they wanted to know.
Typographers, that's who. The people who study and design the typewritten word decided long ago that we should use one space, not two, between sentences. That convention was not arrived at casually.[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
Screw you, i’ll use 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After which he proceeds to argue for it.
You know something Matt, one day I’ve got to complete my collection of autographed novels you published. I have the first, now I need the others. LOL.
Oh, and on topic, I agree, two is better than one.
If you date someone with nonproportional periods, give her a lot of space!
Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style insists on two spaces, which is truly more relaxing to the eye after a sentence. I prefer it and am staying with two.
But I also put commas after each item in a small list, except for the very last item.
If you’re still using a typewriter, use two spaces. If you’re using a computer, use one only.
I’ve always used one space after periods, myself, but what really kills me, are people who use NO spaces between sentences, or after commas.
Drives me nuts, reading emails from folks who type that way.
I had to type a lot more slowly as well, because I type so fast, I tend to make mistakes and there is no backspace on a typrwriter!!!!
Seriously, folks, this is going to be a blockbuster novel, if the excerpt on his website is any indication.
I’ll continue to use two spaces until they pry the space bar from my cold dead hands.
Learned two spaces in HS typing. If Salon disagrees than I know I was taught properly.
Depends on whether or not you took typing class in high school. If you did you’re a double spacer.
___________
I took typing in high school. I never heard of double spacing after a sentence until now.
My typing teacher, Mr. Louis A. Orr said two spaces. My Advanced Composition Teacher, Mr. Hazel Dwyer Fish said two spaces. My Journalism Professor, Dr. Imogen Bolls said two spaces.
If I changed now,they would all find me and break my fingers for not doing as I was taught.
... in which case your initial presumption in correcting me was in error then, wasn’t it? ;)
Typing class in jr. high school, 1975. Single space. About the only useful thing I ever learned there, still do about 60 wpm. I’m the only one in my department who can type, everyone else looks at me like I’m practicing witchcraft or something when I type, as they plod along with their hunt and peck method, ten wpm maybe.
That’s the same sentiment I have for my guns, ammo and incandescent lightbulbs.
“Over Thanksgiving dinner last year, I asked people what they considered to be the “correct” number of spaces between sentences” I’d grab my plate and move to the living room for football.
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