Posts: 1,383
Threads: 115
Joined: Jan 2024
Certainly use ONE space in typography.
However, many people use two spaces in manuscripts. It makes them easier to read.
I had one client that required two spaces in typeset material, on the argument that one space made the type look crowded. He paid for the extra spaces; I provided them.
Basic rule: Ask who is in charge here? Do what she requires.
If you get to choose, choose one space. Removing extra spaces is one of the easiest search-and-replace steps anybody can take.
Posts: 8,114
Threads: 1,089
Joined: May 2025
Many a time I've used find and replace all for getting rid of that second space when editing someone else's manuscript. To me, two spaces looks amateurish.
Posts: 37,098
Threads: 2,599
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
paul - perhaps the lesson has noting to do with using a computer and everything to do with a fallibility of authority.
---
I was taught to use two spaces but thats probably because I was taught by someone who used a typewriter. I've never been corrected on it.
Posts: 3,201
Threads: 894
Joined: Mar 2017
Reputation:
0
Manual of Style is my Bible for 50 years. Lotsa handset, lino, monotype.
End of discussion.
Posts: 6,474
Threads: 536
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
But the bigger question is: Why do ANY of you care about this - are you really that anal?
Posts: 83
Threads: 7
Joined: Dec 2013
Reputation:
0
U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual, Para 2.49, (Leading and Spacing)
Posts: 5,387
Threads: 567
Joined: Nov 2023
SDGuy wrote:
But the bigger question is: Why do ANY of you care about this - are you really that anal?
sEy
Posts: 28,821
Threads: 209
Joined: May 2025
SDGuy wrote:
But the bigger question is: Why do ANY of you care about this - are you really that anal?
Right is right, wrong is wrong - has nothing to do with being anal. Perhaps you might consider counseling your mechanic to "not be so anal"... or your doctor... or your mailman... or the payroll department at your place of employment... or your - well, you get the point.
Posts: 15,843
Threads: 95
Joined: May 2025
Mono-spaced fonts without em and en-spaces should still use the double spaces after end of sentence punctuation. In other words, typewriter style fonts. Everything else should use a single space. Most wordprocessing software will put in the proper em-space. Typesetting for a book or other publication also inserts the proper em-space, but as what4 mentions, sometimes particular manuscripts should be done with two.