Poll: One space or two

[Word Nerd]

When you type an electronic document of any kind, do you put one space or two after a period?

[NanceXToo]

One.

[Julie Smith]

I don't know. Let me try. One space. :)

[Ria]

Two after a period because when I took typing that was the standard. That dates me, I'm sure. I took that class in high school in 1980.

[Pamela H in Texas]

Yeah, it would have been interesting to have an age break down for this poll. I put two.

[Mrs Mungo]

One space is the generally accepted way on a computer. I took a typing class with a typewriter too. But, I adapted and overcame.

[coffeegal]

I was taught 2 spaces and usually type in the old standard... however, I'm in the process of switching over to the new standard. :D

[jewellsmommy]

I have always done one because that is what I was taught in school. My dad has always done 2. I noticed a while back and asked him about it. He said 2 is the proper way to do it. I was surprised as I had never heard that before then.

[cloversandlions]

Two after a period because when I took typing that was the standard. That dates me, I'm sure. I took that class in high school in 1980.

 

Same here, except I took the class my senior year ('85-'86). :D

[beaners]

I know I'm not supposed to, but I almost always use two spaces. It's a habit. I'm in my mid-20s.

[Word Nerd]

I learned two spaces when I took typing in high school (on a typewriter). I switched to one space when I took journalism at my university. That was 20 years ago, which doesn't exactly make it a "new" standard for publishing.

Edited August 14, 2011 by WordGirl

[catz]

Two after a period because when I took typing that was the standard. That dates me, I'm sure. I took that class in high school in 1980.

 

:iagree: I got the same info in 87-88. Always 2.

[MamaT]

I took a typing class in 1978 on a typewriter and was taught two spaces. I am aware that it is supposed to be one now, but just don't care to re-learn how to type. Two is good for me.

[Word Nerd]

What does the Other vote mean? Three spaces? None? :D

[MHowell]

I am only 28 and I was taught 2. Though I remember when I worked through a temp agency they said the typing test counted both as correct, but obviously by typing 2 your words per minute go down a bit.

[Mommy2BeautifulGirls]

What does the Other vote mean? Three spaces? None? :D

 

:lol::lol::lol:

[chepyl]

I took word processing freshmen year of high school, on a computer. I was taught two spaces. That was 1994. When on my phone, I do one for speed.

[Perry]

I put other. :)

 

I learned to put 2 spaces in my typing class about 40 (gasp) years ago. I learned the error of my ways a few months ago from someone on this board. I've been trying to break myself of the habit ever since, but it's hard! I'll see if I can find the thread...

 

In the meantime, here's an article. Slate

[Perry]

Original thread

[Pamela H in Texas]

When on my phone, I do one for speed.

 

On my phone, I do two because when you do two, it puts the period for you.

[TrixieB]

I put two, because that's what I learned in high school. Then I asked dh. He said, "Two! Is that some kind of mystery?" :lol:

[Mommy2BeautifulGirls]

What I learned was that the rule was changed once computers became the standard. This is because on a typewriter letters all have the same width. Now, however, most fonts will vary the width of the letter due to the letter. For example, "m" takes up more space than "n". Of course, there are exceptions, like Courier, which are intended to be monospaced. (And way easier to make word searches out of.)

 

I have typed for one doctor who prefers his reports to be two spaces after the period, but I would just use one and then change it using the find/replace feature of word. Anyone else I've typed for either didn't care or wanted just one.

[Audrey]

2. It is a habit from when I learned typing many, many... umm and many.... years ago. While I realise that modern word processing renders the double space unnecessary, that does not lessen my kinesthetic compulsion to put it there.

[Mommy2BeautifulGirls]

 

In the meantime, here's an article. Slate

 

Good article. The author points out some things that I pointed out in my response. (Now I feel like I copied him/her!) :D

[Mommy2BeautifulGirls]

2. It is a habit from when I learned typing many, many... umm and many.... years ago. While I realise that modern word processing renders the double space unnecessary, that does not lessen my kinesthetic compulsion to put it there.

 

And you probably don't get paid for how fast you type. :D

 

In the transcription field, I get paid 9 cents for every 65 characters I type, not including spaces. That extra space costs me money!

[Just Robyn]

I put two spaces because that's what I was taught. I have been told that it is supposed to be one space now and I don't care. If I submit an editorial to the newspaper I'll put one space.

[Mosaicmind]

According to APA guidelines it's two spaces.

[nmoira]

One, unless you're using a typewriter, which I haven't for well over 25 years.

[twoxcell]

One! I have never heard of two.

[Perry]

According to APA guidelines it's two spaces.

I think that has changed.

APA

The Mechanics of Style

 

Spacing (4.01). APA suggests using one space after periods ending sentences. If you are writing a draft of a manuscript, you may use two spaces, depending on your publisher's guidelines.

 

[eaglei]

Two. Definitely.

 

I know what the new rule is and I do.not.like.it. It looks *dumb* to me to see one space at the end of a sentence - and I do.not.like that some sites remove the extra space. :glare: When I am editing copy for the church bulletin (which includes fitting the item in the allotted space, with the desired font, etc.), I always stick the extra space in.

 

Hard to teach an old dog new tricks, as they say, so for me, it's: one space following commas, semi-colons, and periods at the end of abbreviations ([including titles, e.g., Mrs., Mr.] unless that abbreviated word also concludes the sentence); two spaces following a colon and a period at the end of a sentence. :)

[Mosaicmind]

I think that has changed.

APA

 

Actually, it hasn't. I have the newest APA manual right now and am in master's level college classes. It is two spaces per all of my professors one of whom edited the APA manual.

 

edited to add: APA stands behind the two spaces rule but allows only 1 space, except manuscripts will be returned and papers counted off if only 1 space is used (per my professor's recommendation and my experience)

Edited August 14, 2011 by Mosaicmind

[K in MI]

Still use two I learned from typing class in '74 -- old habits die hard.

[Joker]

I was taught two in high school and I cannot stop. Dh is the same.

[Guest]

I was taught two and I went to elementary school in the 80's (I'm 30).

[nmoira]

Actually, it hasn't. I have the newest APA manual right now and am in master's level college classes. It is two spaces per all of my professors one of whom edited the APA manual.

 

[Edited to add] edited to add: APA stands behind the two spaces rule but allows only 1 space, except manuscripts will be returned and papers counted off if only 1 space is used (per my professor's recommendation and my experience)

 

:lurk5:

 

Style Guide Smackdown... who will prevail? Can hardly wait for the MLA folks to weigh in.

Edited August 14, 2011 by nmoira

[Mosaicmind]

:lurk5:

 

Style Guide Smackdown... who will prevail? Can hardly wait for the MLA folks to weigh in.

 

 

:lol::lol::lol: I did edit my post because 1 is allowed but not preferred and professors and professionals in my field will count it against you. UGH!!! I used MLA when I did my English classes but don't remember what the rule was but I always have used two spaces and never was corrected, so don't know.

[nmoira]

 

:lol::lol::lol: I did edit my post because 1 is allowed but not preferred and professors and professionals in my field will count it against you. UGH!!! I used MLA when I did my English classes but don't remember what the rule was but I always have used two spaces and never was corrected, so don't know.

I love style guide nerds... seriously... :001_smile:

[Mosaicmind]

I love style guide nerds... seriously... :001_smile:

 

I have the stupid APA manual practically memorized by now. My profs count off for every little thing and it drives me batty. But, I got a 100 on my last 20pg research paper so I celebrated.

[melissel]

Ugh, this is one of my biggest pet peeves as an editor. One space. One. What do you read nowadays that includes two spaces after periods? Newspapers? Books of any kind? Online communications? Magazines--even scholarly ones?

 

This is an old rule that dates back to typesetting days and should have gone by the wayside loooong ago. It is no longer necessary and instead causes the majority of readers to stumble and pause unnecessarily after every sentence.

 

PET. PEEVE. Regardless of what the APA style dictates (sorry MM :tongue_smilie:)!

Edited August 14, 2011 by melissel

[melissel]

:lurk5:

 

Style Guide Smackdown... who will prevail? Can hardly wait for the MLA folks to weigh in.

 

Is that a challenge I smell?! :lol:

[Tap]

I was taught two, but once computers started changing them to single spaces automatically, I stopped.

 

I can't remember when I stopped, but I did. LOL

[Word Nerd]

According to APA guidelines it's two spaces.

 

According to AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style, it's one. APA recommends two for drafts. ALA says one unless told otherwise but also says there's technically nothing wrong with putting two. I think the extra space looks wrong, but I work in publishing where one space is the standard no matter what style guide is used.

[Margo out of lurking]

I was taught 2 spaces and usually type in the old standard... however, I'm in the process of switching over to the new standard. :D

 

Same here.

 

I voted Other. I learned typing with two spaces. I know I should be typing just one. I don't think I can slow down enough to retrain myself, so I'm glad the computer will do it for me.

[Jenny in Florida]

I was taught 2 spaces and usually type in the old standard... however, I'm in the process of switching over to the new standard. :D

 

Here's the thing, as I understand it: Two spaces after a period was standard in the old days of typewriters with fixed spacing. Nowadays, though, most fonts adjust automatically. So, we just need one space.

[Diana B]

Alright, because I'm feeling lazy and don't feel like looking it up, why was two spaces standard on a typewriter? I get that the letters were all the same size, but what does that have to do with anything?

 

By the way, I usually do two spaces, although I've found that I don't do it if I'm in a hurry and not using proper grammar and/or spelling (texting, chatting, etc).

 

And I was taught two spaces in the early 90's when I was in middle/high school. So it may be 'out-dated' but not that much!

[Sahamamama]

When I learned to type -- on a TYPEWRITER!:svengo:-- many years ago, the standard was two spaces. But in college, the format we used required one space. So ever since then, it's been one space.

 

What prompted this inquiry? :bigear:

[justamouse]

ONEONEONEONEONE.

 

One.

 

If you send anything into an editor with two spaces, they will wring your neck. Not to mention Word redlines it. Not that word counts for anything...:glare:

Edited August 14, 2011 by justamouse

[Liza Lee]

I was taught 2 spaces and usually type in the old standard... however, I'm in the process of switching over to the new standard. :D

 

Ditto. Using two spaces messes up formatting on my blog, so I'm working hard to overcome the habit. I took typing in the mid-70s, so it's been a long time.

[Tam101]

Two after a period because when I took typing that was the standard. That dates me, I'm sure. I took that class in high school in 1980.

:iagree:

 

Remember those big electric typewriters we learned on? Those were the days. My Dad wanted me to take typing because it was a skill I could always fall back on. :lol: Little did he know the computer age was about to hit in a big way!