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

[NotUrsula]

You can download style managers (even free ones) that will set your word processor to use the style you prefer. Not just MLA and APA, but any other system that has ever been devised.

[To prove what I dinosaur I am, I'll tell you that my grad school used Chicago.]

 

[taximomfor4]

I think it has changed to one space now, but when I learned to type (1995-6) it was HAMMERED into us to use 2 spaces after question marks, periods, and exclamation points...one space after other forms of punctuation and between words.

 

[beck0321]

Because that is the correct way to do it. I was trained as a secretary; you always but two spaces after a period.

And two blank lines between a paragraph.

Actually, nooooo....If you would refer to my earlier post, that's not the only correct way to do it. Both current MLA and AP styles suggest you use ONE space. Actually in AP (most of what you read will likely be in AP - i.e. newspapers, magazines...) it is a requirement. In my job (PR, Mass Comm, News writing), two spaces is NOT the correct way to do it and I would be called out on it if I did. Also we leave no blanks between paragraphs.
Which pretty much proves you do not always put two spaces after a period and two blanks between paragraphs.

I am not saying what you were taught was wrong because certain things may actually need to be written in the style you described, but if you look at many reputable publications, you will see that this is not always the case.


*I guess I SHOULD have been an English major, per my English professor's request!*

 

[lyzziesmom]

I don't know if this was already mentioned, but the way I learned was two spaces on a typewriter, one space on a computer. So technically, BOTH ways are correct depending on the medium being used.

 

[imsorry]

I would like to correct my earlier statement; when I said two blank lines, I meant two returns; which produces one blank line between paragraphs. I guess things have changed alot since I was taught - I must admit it WAS in the '70s!

I didn't realize I had become such a dinosaur - now I know how my mother used to feel when I would correct her.

 

[Becky2005]

ETA: It also peeves me when people list stuff in a sentence and put a comma before the word "and." Example: I want breakfast, lunch, and dinner. <-- According to AP style there should be no comma after the word "lunch."
Not sure if MLA calls for this, I couldn't find it online.

I was taught *either* way was correct for the comma before the AND. If it would make things clearer use it.

For example if you were listing something as:

Macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, salt and pepper, and ketchup.

That one should have the comma because of the other ands in there.

distinguishes between macaroni, cheese and salt.

It basically all boiled down to what makes it more obvious to the reader what you are trying to distinquish. However, either use would be considered correct.

I'm sure that rule has changed too by now.

 

[robinb]

I also type 2 spaces after a period. It drives my DH nuts!

 

[cardaway]

I was always under the impression this had everyting to do with the technology of typewriters and the type sets used for printing. When word processors came long the software provided for the extra spacing after the punctuation and there was no longer the need to space things manually by using two spaces.

 

[taximomfor4]

I was taught *either* way was correct for the comma before the AND. If it would make things clearer use it.

For example if you were listing something as:

Macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, salt and pepper, and ketchup.

That one should have the comma because of the other ands in there.

distinguishes between macaroni, cheese and salt.

It basically all boiled down to what makes it more obvious to the reader what you are trying to distinquish. However, either use would be considered correct.

I'm sure that rule has changed too by now.

Here is the rule in my college English book (from 2004):

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

EXAMPLES:

The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.
The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime, who had a strong revenge motive, and who had access to the murder weapon, was guilty of homicide.

Note: the comma separating the second-to-last from the last item in the list is optional.

* Subjects in the program of study include English, math, and psychology.
-or- Subjects in the program of study include English, math and psychology.

Now, it does make a note: "In APA format, if three or more items in a series are mentioned, commas go after each item including the one before the conjunction (and or or)."

 

[Free4Life11]

I was always under the impression this had everyting to do with the technology of typewriters and the type sets used for printing. When word processors came long the software provided for the extra spacing after the punctuation and there was no longer the need to space things manually by using two spaces.

And since typewriters are rarely used these days I say it's time they just make it a rule: one space after the periods.

I wonder why they chose to get rid of extra spaces in HTML?

Remember that they used to teach us that Pluto was a planet. And let's no forget a few hundred years ago when they thought the world was flat!

 

[Kimmumum]

Two spaces after a period and one space after a comma---that's how we were taught.

I was taught that too!

 

[cardaway]

And since typewriters are rarely used these days I say it's time they just make it a rule: one space after the periods.

I wonder why they chose to get rid of extra spaces in HTML?

Look at the posts here. The extra spacing after punctuation is already provided by the software.

 

[DVC-Don]

I was also trained to put 2 spaces after a period back in high school typing class in 1967. Also in a college writting class in 1983.

 

[Free4Life11]

Did you also use an abacus in math class?

 

[taximomfor4]

Did you also use an abacus in math class?

 

[Nancy]

Did you also use an abacus in math class?

No, but I can tell you we weren't allowed to use calculators either! I feel like I went to school in another century...oh wait I did!!!

 

[oxfordcircus]

Maybe I missed something in this riveting 7 page discussion of spaces, but why would it make a difference whether the mode of typing is a typewriter or computer? I always thought that the purpose for putting 2 spaces after the period was to visually separate the sentences (as opposed to an abbreviation ending with a period). That visual need does not abate simply because the writer is using a computer. Besides, I'm not sure there's a software that can tell when you've reached the end of a sentence simply because there's a period in the text. Example: when software automatically but erroneously capitalizes after a period which does not end a sentence. I'm all for innovations in language, but I don't think this is one.

 

[beck0321]

Look at the posts here. The extra spacing after punctuation is already provided by the software.

I'm consfused. There's only one space between each sentence in these posts.

I can't believe ONE SPACE is losing by that much! People, look at basically any newspaper or magazine! Even though you personally choose to double space, the majority of what you're reading is not spaced this way!

 

[katerkat]

Also if you dont do it while typing using MS WORD...it will do it for you. You will get error msgs if less then two spaces. Every magazine, book & printed anything has 2 spaces between the sentences.

Actually, any magazine or newspaper printed in AP style will only have one space. I was taught two spaces in high school, then I majored in journalism in college and learned how to write correctly.

Also, since I'm AP-trained, I use one space in MS Word and it never gives me an error message for that. (For lots of other things, yes, but not for one space.)

 

[beck0321]

Actually, any magazine or newspaper printed in AP style will only have one space. I was taught two spaces in high school, then I majored in journalism in college and learned how to write correctly.

Also, since I'm AP-trained, I use one space in MS Word and it never gives me an error message for that. (For lots of other things, yes, but not for one space.)

Oh Gosh Thank you!!! Finally someone who understands my plight!