How many spaces after a period? aka gadough, help me impress my english teacher

[73109]

Haven't read the thread, but the correct answer is one. Two was correct for a type writer because every letter was the same width, so it looked better to have two spaces after a period. Now, with computers, letters are individualized, so we don't have to worry about unnecessary spaces after periods. Glad I could be of assistance.

[Dimitrius]

I've never even heard of using 2.

This. Who the hell puts two spaces after a period?

Yeah, these. I have never heard of using two space in my life.

[Aramatheis]

Always used 1 up here in Canada. 1 for the win, eh?

But you also say "zed", and have two official languages, so I don't really put much stock in Canadians opinions on English

"Zee" was a creation on the American dialect of English as far as I know.

thank you, that is precisely it
I'm actually sick of hearing "it's zee, not zed. why do you canadians always say it wrong?"

"zed" is the original (and perfectly valid!) pronunciation. "Zee" is just randomly made up by you americans a few hundred years ago after you decided to secede from England


edit: @ OP

I was taught in typing/computer class to always put two spaces after a period, but I've never done so. Never saw the point of it

[Gadough]

I've always wanted to pronounce it zed. It sounds cooler. It has balls. Zee sounds pussified in comparison.

[black_biff_stadler]

I don't really see what zee problem is.

[ZBomber]

One. I feel like having two spaces would get really annoying.

[The King in Crimson]

I've always used two, since that's how I was learned.

[black_biff_stadler]

I agree with ZedBomber

[Jamesman42]

I've always used two, since that's how I was learned.

Well now.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Always used 1 up here in Canada. 1 for the win, eh?

But you also say "zed", and have two official languages, so I don't really put much stock in Canadians opinions on English

Actually, you're the guys doing it wrong.

Also, like black_floyd, never heard 2 spaces ever.

[The King in Crimson]

I've always used two, since that's how I was learned.

Well now.

[Jamesman42]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 2000TH POST THE KING IN CRIMSON!!!

[mrjazzguitar]

one.

two is for some sandbox bullshit.

tits.

[black_biff_stadler]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 2000TH POST THE KING IN CRIMSON!!!

 

[The King in Crimson]

zomg i didnt even knowtice!!!1111 

Thanks man, I don't care what bosk says about you, you're alright. 

[black_biff_stadler]

2001st Post: A Crimson Odyssey

[BlobVanDam]

This is the first I've heard of two spaces. Sounds like some high school essay padding trick to me. Why waste two spaces? I just don't understand....




I just don't understand.

[Aramatheis]

This is the first I've heard of two spaces. Sounds like some high school essay padding trick to me. Why waste two spaces? I just don't understand....


I just don't understand.

if you read earlier posts, Cole (numbers) already mentioned why (albeit in a fairly conceited way, I might add)

[lonestar]

Haven't read the thread, but the correct answer is one.  Two is correct for old fucks like lonestar who are so fucking old they learned on a typewriter and are too stubborn to change.  Glad I could be of assistance.

fix'd

[HarlequinForest]

I was never even aware that only one space is grammatically acceptable.  I guess since I've never noticed so many people only use one space it doesn't matter one way or another.

(BTW, I'm only 23 and have never used a typewriter.)

[Zydar]

I've never heard of two spaces ever. One space ftw.

[hefdaddy42]

Haven't read the thread, but the correct answer is one. Two was correct for a type writer because every letter was the same width, so it looked better to have two spaces after a period. Now, with computers, letters are individualized, so we don't have to worry about unnecessary spaces after periods. Glad I could be of assistance.

This is probably right.  When I was in school, typewriters were still used, so I learned 2 spaces.  I have always stuck with it, because I find it pleasing to the eye.  It sets off each sentence as its own separate unit which can be easily digested when reading quickly.  For me, one space gives the appearance of clutteredness.

[kári]

I've never even heard of using 2.

This. Who the hell puts two spaces after a period?

Yeah, these. I have never heard of using two space in my life.

[The King in Crimson]

Haven't read the thread, but the correct answer is one. Two was correct for a type writer because every letter was the same width, so it looked better to have two spaces after a period. Now, with computers, letters are individualized, so we don't have to worry about unnecessary spaces after periods. Glad I could be of assistance.

This is probably right.  When I was in school, typewriters were still used, so I learned 2 spaces.  I have always stuck with it, because I find it pleasing to the eye.  It sets off each sentence as its own separate unit which can be easily digested when reading quickly.  For me, one space gives the appearance of clutteredness.

Agreed.

I was told to use two spaces in high school and I find one space to be jarring nowadays.

[chknptpie]

WTF who uses two?! It's like people who hit enter twice and leave a blank gap. Just adjust the paragraph spacing. No extra spaces! GAAAAHHHH

Sorry, I control and edit documents for a living.

[YtseCullen]

But you also say "zed", and have two official languages, so I don't really put much stock in Canadians opinions on English

Actually, you're the guys doing it wrong.

Also, like black_floyd, never heard 2 spaces ever.

This

[Orbert]

It's obviously a generational thing.  I clearly remember it being drilled into our heads in the 60's and 70's: Two spaces after a period when it ends a sentence, one space anywhere else and for any other punctuation mark.

If one space is the norm now, then okay.  But there's no question that it used to be two.

[KevShmev]

I suspect neither way is really wrong, but I still do two spaces.  It is the way I got accustomed to doing it in school, and I've just stuck with it.

[El Barto]

Wow,  I've never heard of one space being acceptable.  I wonder if it has to do with age.  If Cole's theory is correct,  that'd make sense.  And reading through this here post,  it appears that I instinctively do it with commas,  as well. 

[kári]

Wow,  I've never heard of one space being acceptable.  I wonder if it has to do with age.  If Cole's theory is correct,  that'd make sense.  And reading through this here post,  it appears that I instinctively do it with commas,  as well. 

Yeah, it seems that you do. I'd never noticed it before but going through your older post you've always done that. Weird.

[ehra]

Yeah, I never noticed before that people used two spaces. Now it's going to bother me forever.

[ZirconBlue]

Haven't read the thread, but the correct answer is one. Two was correct for a type writer because every letter was the same width, so it looked better to have two spaces after a period. Now, with computers, letters are individualized, so we don't have to worry about unnecessary spaces after periods. Glad I could be of assistance.

This is probably right.  When I was in school, typewriters were still used, so I learned 2 spaces.  I have always stuck with it, because I find it pleasing to the eye.  It sets off each sentence as its own separate unit which can be easily digested when reading quickly.  For me, one space gives the appearance of clutteredness.

This.

[ZirconBlue]

That was an ellipsis, not a period. 

Still grammatically incorrect, of course.  Just clarifying.

(Depending on which style guide you follow), the individual dots in ellipses should have spaces between them.  And, it's 3 dots if it's in the middle of a sentence, 4 dots if at the end.


This is an example . . . of the former.


This is an example of the latter . . . .






 

[GuineaPig]

Two.  Are all of you heathens, or what?

[Jamesman42]

It's funny, I never even noticed that people used 2 spaces. But now I can't unsee it.