What is the norm for spaces between sentences. I was taught 2 in school, but see 1 all the time. Does it matter?
Spaces between sentences
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mirandashell
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The short answer is one.
(I think.)
For longer answers, see this list of existing threads on the topic...
(I think.)
For longer answers, see this list of existing threads on the topic...
If it is a monospaced font, you use two. (Courier is monospaced).
If it is a proportionate spaced font (Times, Times New Roman, Palatino, Bookman, etc.) you use one.
If in doubt, use one.
If the editor or publisher tells you to use 1, 2, or 3, just do what they ask, but it's not even a little bit likely you'll be rejected for lack of or excess of a space.
If it is a proportionate spaced font (Times, Times New Roman, Palatino, Bookman, etc.) you use one.
If in doubt, use one.
If the editor or publisher tells you to use 1, 2, or 3, just do what they ask, but it's not even a little bit likely you'll be rejected for lack of or excess of a space.
Not a fan of Courier font, I found the easiest way to break myself from sixty years of tapping the space bar twice following a period, colon, question mark, etc. was to have my right thumb surgically removed.
Added: The downside is now I can't ASL my name.
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mirandashell
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Honestly, unless you're typographically obsessed, right up until you are ready to submit, do whatever you want—as long as you're consistent.
You can easily re-format your ms. to meet the specific guidelines, if there are specific guidelines, for the particular editor/publisher.
Even in terms of spacing after terminal punctuation.
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Convoluted Grammar Room in-jokes aside, this is the correct answer. Among the things to worry about when writing, this should be right about at the bottom.
When your sentence structure has found the balance between invisible similarity and refreshing variation, when your word choices always ring like a bell, when your homophones play only the parts to which they are fairly accustomed, when your dialog flows, and when your comma use brings tears of joy to a copyeditor's eye, then worry about how many spaces you put after a full stop.
Until then, do what comes naturally and use a global find and replace afterward.
My uni lecturer now marks down for two spaces. I learnt to type on a typewriter so two spaces is an unbreakable habit for me. Thank goodness for the find/replace function
Newbies clearly have NO CLUE how important this issue is!
I'd just run it through HTML rendering. Woops, where'd my CR's go???My uni lecturer now marks down for two spaces. I learnt to type on a typewriter so two spaces is an unbreakable habit for me. Thank goodness for the find/replace function
Sometimes success in spelling, punctuation, format, basic grammar, characterization, and plotting through rising action to a satisfying end is one small lackluster victory at a time.
No sane editor is going to reject a work because it has two spaces after each sentence rather than one.
That said, I learned to type on a typewriter, way back, and muscle memory often puts two spaces at the end of a sentence, even on the word-processor. So, when getting a manuscript ready to submit, I have learned to do a global search-replace, turning any two consecutive spaces into one. This takes about five seconds.
Worry more about what is contained within each sentence, rather than how many blank spaces should follow each sentence. Bad writing is harder to fix with a search-replace.
Dammit.
caw
That said, I learned to type on a typewriter, way back, and muscle memory often puts two spaces at the end of a sentence, even on the word-processor. So, when getting a manuscript ready to submit, I have learned to do a global search-replace, turning any two consecutive spaces into one. This takes about five seconds.
Worry more about what is contained within each sentence, rather than how many blank spaces should follow each sentence. Bad writing is harder to fix with a search-replace.
Dammit.
caw
Oh, yeah. Now I get it. I wasn't sure when Medievalist said it clearly and succinctly. Even when Evilrooster said the same thing, it didn't quite sink in: Don't sweat the small stuff now. But this third lecture is definitely the needed charm. The dim bulb brightens. I think the stern "Dammit" is what drove it home for me.
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My very dear Chase, I'm so sorry that the phantom pains from your amputated thumb are troubling you. I do hope that they recede soon and you are able to return to being your ordinarily sunny and delightful self.
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I use two spaces, always. I've never had an editor complain, nor have I even found a reason to complain when receiving a story with two spaces. Some things are simply non-issues, and this is one of them.
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Failing that... if you get bored waiting... there's a new thread on fanfic just getting started.
Just sayin' [SUP]tm[/SUP].
Just sayin' [SUP]tm[/SUP].
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