Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Important Question

Do you put one or two spaces after a sentence when you type? Brett and I have started taking a poll and we're curious what you do and why. Leave us a comment and let us know.

20 comments:

Bethany said...

I put one space between spaces, although I think I did learn in typing or something that you are supposed to put two. I am just lazy. My hubby, on the other hand, puts two spaces. He is obviously not as lazy as me.

Meg said...

According to the Chicago Manual of Style, you should use one space after a period between sentences. Generally, people are trained to use two. But one is correct.
I actually studied this in one of my editing classes--weird, I know.

The Tylkas said...

Yeah I always use two just out of habit from typing class I guess. I don't know if I could change to one now that I've been doing it this way for all these years. You all are funny!

Preethi said...

Two!!! Even though I know one is technically correct now. Apparently, back in the days of typewriters, two was necessary, but with computers, it's not as big of a deal. But I was trained on two, soo...

Anonymous said...

Two -- as was drilled into my head during my 8th grade typing class on an electric typewriter.

Communication now seems driven by text messages, so soon puncuation will be optional.

Anonymous said...

I learned two in my High School typing class--of course it was in Canada!

Karene said...

You need to post your question to Side Taker and let the internet decide! http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=346

Shannon said...

One space! I remember having to switch my typing habits back when they changed the rule in high school.

Piquantly Parisian said...

I was originally taught two, but then had to change my habit in college - I had a class that required one.

My supervisor does two. I find that whenever I edit his stuff, I go through and take the extra space out. When he edits my stuff, he puts an extra space in.

Tiki Warrior said...

SinceIamprobablyolderthanallofyoumyvoteistwobecausethatswhatIlearnedin8thgradetyping

Dolphin Girl said...

I use two spaces. . .that what I learned in typing class in fifth grade at Spring Hills Elementary!

Anonymous said...

Two spaces in between sentences is old. New word processors now only require one space. I took editing classes at BYU and learned the error of my two-spaces-between-sentences ways!

Anonymous said...

I use just one space because it is faster for me as I am typing. Since most of my teachers are asking for papers to be double spaced, as is MLA style, when I change it that second space comes right in there.

WhitParks said...

I am so sciency and so not englishy...but I put two spaces after a sentence.

wendyhcd said...

after too many years of academic writing, where 2 spaces is required, i have to force myself to use one, which is the norm outside of college writing. i was an editor at FARMS several years ago and implemented the one space rule all publications.

Anonymous said...

I always put one space. Unless I am writing a term paper or assignment for class. Then I try to stretch it out by typing with two spaces... oh the sad games we play... :)
-Kayla W.

Anonymous said...

One space between sentences--got in the habit after I started emailing. Although, I can never manage to use JUST one exclamation point between sentences... Go figure!!!

Unknown said...

I put two spaces because that's what I thought I learned in school. . . how are you?? Kath sent me your blog address. Congrats on the soon to arrive baby girl! I just had one too (baby #4.) She's FUN fun fun! It is great to see what you're up to. Hang in there for the last few weeks!!

Love,
rachel pettit mohlman (remember me?)
rachelmohlman@yahoo.com

The Lloyd Family said...

I do hit the spacebar twice after ending a sentence. I was taught to use two spaces, and I don't know if I can break the habit now. Am I wrong in using two?

Anonymous said...

I put two spaces when I type because I learned how to type the old-fashioned way on a typewriter and that is how you were taught to type back in the 70's. Wish I still had that old electric.