Two Spaces After Period

Two spaces were once the norm double spacing after every period used to be standard.

Two spaces after period. Those of a certain age learned how to type using a. The point is it s not only widely accepted it s expected that you use only one space after a period. Simply write as you always would with two spaces and when you are finished got to the toolbar of your word processing program click edit find replace and then choose to replace all double spaces with single.

Interestingly all examples mla presents in their guide use just one space and it states that most publishers guides recommend one space. Cnn microsoft has made its typographical decree. The publication manual of the american psychological association apa was the only style guide that overtly recommended two spaces after a period and even that long time holdout for two spaces changed its guideline to one space in its 2019 update.

Only one space after a period is modern and proper. Or an exclamation point. Illustration by tara haelle the nation was rocked this week by a paradigm shattering study.

The story of spaces after periods is often told as though monospaced typewriter fonts needed two spaces after a sentence for good readability and that the wide availability of proportional fonts on computers led to the switch to one space. The style choice will now be marked as an error in microsoft word and users who press the space bar. Quick tip for those who use two spaces.

Two spaces between sentences is too many. Sorry two spaces it s time to make the switch. Once considered an advanced form of technology themselves older typewriters were known to produce uneven or unpredictable line spacing.

Before computers and word processors were prevalent most people relied on typewriters. If you are someone who can t break your two spaces after a period habit have no fear. Using two spaces after a period comes from the old days of using a physical typewriter.