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#4051 - 04/03/03 09:40 AM
Punctuation-spacing after period?
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RJAPHET
Member
Registered: 07/16/01
Posts: 553
Loc: WA state
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Back in the Dark Ages I was taught to always put two spaces after a period. I have reason to believe that this is no longer the case. I type with justified margins and sometimes with the two spaces the line is really stretched out. Is there a rule on this, or is it a matter of preference? Thanks, Ruth ***Annie edit for title for archiving purposes*** [ 05-17-2003: Message edited by: Annie ]
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#4052 - 04/03/03 09:46 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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I have always thought this was a rule, but I do notice a lot of people do not do it. I often wondered if it was because were not taught correctly, or if I was just thought it was the correct way. I do remember back in my highschool typing class, our teacher making a point of the 2 spaces after periods. Hmmm very interesting question. I am really interested now.
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#4053 - 04/03/03 09:47 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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Ibanmt
Member
Registered: 01/31/03
Posts: 1049
Loc: At my desk...
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I thought it said somewhere in the BOS to get out of the habit of using 2 spaces after a period, but I cannot document this in the new BOS. My proofer wants 2 spaces following a period, and I think that's pretty much a matter of preference. I'd personally prefer to just do the one and save that keystroke, but I don't have the final say, unfortunately.
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#4054 - 04/03/03 09:47 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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I have always used two spaces, ever since typing class in high school, but the BOS says to use one. Jamie
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#4055 - 04/03/03 10:27 PM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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aurora_borealis
Member
Registered: 07/02/99
Posts: 1323
Loc: The U.P.
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The "two spaces" rule originated with typewriters, because each character takes up exactly the same amount of space, so two spaces after periods made for easier reading. However, with computers, adjustment is usually made automatically by the word processing program, and two spaces is no longer necessary. In fact, in the realm of typesetting and graphic design, I would say one space is definitely a rule, since two spaces does often cause the problem mentioned by the original poster: that of too much white space. I'm sure MT employers differ on this, though, and it's probably best to do it the way the individual employer prefers. I suppose one could let them know the reasoning behind the switch from two spaces to one, though, and see if they would be willing to accept the new way! 
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#4056 - 04/03/03 11:48 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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KellyRat
Member
Registered: 10/30/00
Posts: 3514
Loc: Southern California
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My employer insists on two spaces, but I wonder if that would be different if they paid for spaces. One thought I've always had is, I wonder how long it would take me to adjust to just one space. I mean, my thumb just automatically hits the spacebar twice at the end of a sentence. Course, I could do a shortcut to turn two spaces into one.... Kelly
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#4057 - 04/03/03 12:22 PM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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lib527
Member
Registered: 09/05/00
Posts: 4373
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I worked for an MTSO once that wanted just the one space and it was an adjustment at first but I did get used to it rather quickly. I was taught on a typewriter so I learned the "two-space" boogie, too. Now if there are two spaces there, it looks like a big gaping hole! 
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#4058 - 04/04/03 05:15 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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Rosa_Lea
Member
Registered: 11/23/99
Posts: 3307
Loc: Antioch TN USA
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I still prefer two spaces after a period because I think it makes it easier to distinguish between sentences. But the client for whom I transcribe has said we will type only one space since they don't want to pay for extra spaces. They want a true 65-character line and I think they are also going away from a justified margin. It seems that everything these days is tied to cost and looks like we are stuck with what the client wants and is willing to pay for, regardless of what it is. I have found that it is easier than I thought to leave only one space, but I still think everything looks crowded. JMO. Rosa Lea
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#4059 - 04/04/03 05:25 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hmmm, the one space makes sense but I know my spellcheck (checks grammar and punc.) always picks up when I miss a space. It calls for two, two I was taught so I use two.
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#4060 - 04/04/03 07:18 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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EnsleysGirl
Member
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 1189
Loc: Hancock, Maine
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This is the quote from the new BOS: quote:
Character spacing:
When using a proportional-spaced font it is customary to mark the end of a
sentence with a single space; however, double-spacing is still widely used,
especially with non-proportional fonts, such as Courier. The choice is usually
determined by departmental or company policy.
Use either a single character space or two spaces (but be consistent in your usage)
after
• the end of a sentence, whether it ends in a period, question mark, exclamation
point, quotation mark, parenthesis, bracket, or brace
• a colon used as a punctuation mark within a sentence
Carol
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#4061 - 04/04/03 01:04 PM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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RedSonya
Member
Registered: 03/27/99
Posts: 5592
Loc: Standish, CA, USA
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You want to hear what is difficult? Having to switch between clients that want 2 spaces and a client that wants 1!!! I thought it would be hard to get used to it, but I haven't really had a problem adjusting to 1 space. It's going back to the others and typing 2 that's tough!!! LOL Karina, both Word and WordPerfect allow you to change that automatic correction to 1 space or 2, whichever you want. 
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#4062 - 04/05/03 07:08 AM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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No kidding Red?! Thanks for the info. I wonder why a dr. would care really? I mean is one so cheap they count spaces after periods?  Not meant to start a broohah, just something that came to mind.
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#4063 - 04/07/03 10:26 PM
Re: Punctuation-spacing after period?
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pele
Member
Registered: 06/11/02
Posts: 136
Loc: Honolulu
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I use the Word program and was told quite some time ago that the computer adjusts and it was okay to use only one space. But let me tell you, it was hard to break the habit of using two spaces. My documents look fine to me and the two MDs I work for don't seem to notice, since one doesn't read the letters over at all, just sends them out "dictated but not read" and the other one just signs them. Of course, I read every letter before it goes out. I don't depend on the spell checker. Pele
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