Why do typewriters have two spaces after a period?
Why do typewriters have two spaces after a period?
If you learned to type on a typewriter before word processors became the norm, two spaces after a period was required and taught as correct. The extra space was needed to delineate the beginning of a new sentence because the spacing between words was uneven on a typewriter.
When did double spacing after period stop?
With the introduction of the typewriter in the late 19th century, typists used two spaces between sentences to mimic the style used by traditional typesetters. While wide sentence spacing was phased out in the printing industry in the mid-20th century, the practice continued on typewriters and later on computers.
Do you single or double space after a period?
Just one. According to every major style guide you’ll find, the rule is a single space after a period or any other punctuation mark you use to end a sentence. Even the APA, the staunchest defender of the double space over the decades, changed their stance on the issue in 2019.
Should there be 2 spaces after a full stop?
Unless you are typing on an actual typewriter, you no longer have to put two spaces after a period. Or a question mark. Or an exclamation point. The rule applies to all end punctuation.
How many spaces should be after a full stop?
While there are many formal rules for punctuation marks and formatting, it’s easy to get tripped up on whether to use one or two spaces after a period. Learn why two spaces were originally used after a period and why the general rule today is to use one space after a period.
How many spaces should there be after a full stop?
Do you put a space after full stop?
As a general rule, no more than a single space is required after a period, a colon or any other mark of punctuation. Larger spaces (e.g., en spaces) are themselves punctuation.
Do you put a space before a full stop?
Full stops [.] Full stops (periods in the USA) go at the end of sentences that are statements. You do not put a space before a full stop, but you do need at least one space after one (two spaces for purists, but in these days of computers and e-mails one space is fine). My name is Lynne.
Is there a space after full stop?
Is double spacing after a full stop correct?
Typing two spaces after a full stop is wrong, according to Microsoft Word. Microsoft’s famous word processing application is set to start flagging the practice as incorrect – displaying the wavy blue line of bad grammar. According to the program, it’s a formatting ‘error’ to double space after a period.
Should there be a space before a full stop?
Full stops [.] Full stops (periods in the USA) go at the end of sentences that are statements. You do not put a space before a full stop, but you do need at least one space after one (two spaces for purists, but in these days of computers and e-mails one space is fine).
Do you type two spaces after a fullstop?
Depending on your age and where you went to school, you may have learned keyboard skills on a typewriter rather than a computer. Those of us who learned on a typewriter were usually told to type two spaces after a fullstop.
Is it obsolete to put two spaces after a period?
I am going to go out a limb and declare that putting two spaces after a period is obsolete. It is how most of us were taught to type on a typewriter. Therefore, most of us who do this (I have taught myself to stop putting two spaces after a period and it was hard) are over 50 years of age.
Why are there 2 spaces between letters in a letter?
Yes, it probably has to do with computer typesetting giving each letter its own amount of space (a typewriter gives an ‘m’ and an ‘i’ and every other character, including a period, a single space, so 2 spaces was eye-catching and made the separation clearer). The standard is now to put 1 space after a period.
Why do people put a double space after a sentence?
A double space after a sentence is a signature of a civilized mind. It has been a part of handwriting since before the typewriter existed. Hooligans have abandoned this sensible practice because they listen blindly to computer people.