Why do students often type TWO spaces after a period - POLL added

[MidgeD79]

I am also a 2 space after a period person. i don't have time before work, but maybe someone could start a poll.

 

[Cindy B]

Always use two spaces after the period and one after th comma. In the dark ages of manual typewriters, that is what I learned.

I can't imagine someone only using one space. It looks to run-on to me.

 

[daisyduck123]

I was taught (back in the early '80's) to use 2 spaces after a period. I always notice when someone uses only one space because it makes the sentences look too "smushed" together.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I'm another one that was taught two spaces after a period, for the same reason as many others have stated. It provides a cleaner break between sentences to avoid confusion. I still type two spaces today. The only time I might not use two spaces is if the program I'm using has space limitations.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

It's supposed to be two spaces. Even when I teach my kindergartners to write sentences, I tell them to use two fingerspaces between sentences.

 

[JerseyJanice]

It is absolutely correct to use two spaces following the end of a sentence, after the finishing punctuation mark (a period, exclamation point, or question mark).

The first time I ever saw it NOT done was in text put out by MS Word. I can't believe it caught on from there. It's just not proper!

BTW, DISUNC, two spaces follow U.S. postal zip code abbreviations, not five. Each state has a two-letter code to be typed in capital letters and followed by two spaces, then the zip code numbers. That's the proper form.

 

[Kitty 34]

The DIS also has smileys, something a term paper doesn't have.

Term papers could have been a lot more fun with smileys!!

We were taught two spaces, too!

 

[snowball22]

I was taught to use two spaces after a period. Only using one space makes a sentence look like it is a run on sentence.

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

I was taught 2 spaces after a period and that alot was spelled alot not a lot. I understand they changed the "rule" on this about 15 years ago! LOl Showing my age!

 

[Pixiedust34]

I was taught two spaces after a period, one space after a comma.

That's how I was taught to type, too.

I learned how to type on an old manual typewriter in junior high school. My pinky finger always got stuck between the keys.

 

[Pembo]

I just took a seminar for my graduate work on APA style and the rule is one space after a period. I thought it was weird because I learned two spaces. I guess this is the new rule.

 

[beattyfamily]

I also do two spaces after a period.

I was taught this in High School but also again at Katharine Gibbs (secretarial) school back in 1991 (15 years ago) using a typewriter.

My DH only uses one space and it drives me crazy. He tells me the rule has now changed; not sure how he 'knows' this.

But I will ALWAYS put two spaces after a period. Its ingrained in me and it just doesn't look right otherwise!

 

[MELSMICE]

I've always done 2 spaces. That's the way I learned it in high school typing class.

 

[Kristi1357]

Does anyone have proof that this rule has changed?

This was up for debate awhile back at work. We do on-air graphics for the news. I won that debate - but now you guys have me wondering if I am right afterall.

 

[DawnCt1]

I must have missed something in high school because any time I have done a group project involving a typed report, whoever types it always uses 2 spaces after a period! It drive me nuts -- what is the point? I've always type one space after a period. What is the logic behind using two spaces. This happens anytime I have done a group paper. Am I missing something here?

I did learn that when typing an address you should type two spaces after the state abbreviation (before the Zipcode). But new two spaces after a period...??

It's correct. If fact, autocorrect with correct it if you don't type two spaces. I just tried it however on this apple and it didn't autocorrect. It must be an old program. I googled it however and there are debates but two spaces is always correct. The question seems to be is one space ever correct. It can be correct and is more common in the UK than the US.

 

[Briarmom]

I think it's looks funny without 2 spaces.

I do, too.

 

[DawnCt1]

I do, too.

It not only looks funny, but I think it is harder to read.

 

[Princess89]

I never heard of that either. I also didn't have typing in high school. When I went on to college which was very recent I used only one space after a period, and nobody ever said anything. I can see where 2 spaces would be easier to read though.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Since we don't use typwriters or monotype fonts, there is no need for double spaces. I use only a single space. In fact, this is what was taught to me in my Public Relation writing classes in college (as well as my Journalism classes).

 

[Nancy]

I was taught two spaces after a period, one space after a comma.

Same here, maybe that is the norm for business letters?

Now in college we use the APA format for school papers and it only allows for one space after periods so that is what I'm used to now. If you use two you lose points.