How Many Spaces After A Period?

[HotWhiteThirties]

In junior high school typing class, I was taught 2 spaces after a period, always. Still do it today, sometimes, out of habit, even in texts.

 

Same here, two spaces after periods. Still do it in texts and anywhere else. Just a habit. I am also staunchly pro-Oxford Comma!

[mike carey]

To start off the conversation, I always used two spaces after a full stop, and it made sense with fixed width fonts (as used with typewriters). Now, I use one space, and the previous comments on proportional fonts are apposite. Yes, Microsoft reinforced this as its grammar check threw in those green squiggly lines under the text when you used two spaces, but it never auto-corrected when I was using it (if it did, you can turn off auto-corrects item by item).

 

I never learnt typing, it wasn't a thing when I was at school, but when I went to uni I did teach myself to touch type (I still look at times but I use the correct fingers for each letter!) by sticking paper over the keys on my typewriter.

[Kenny]

I am also staunchly pro-Oxford Comma!

 

Oxford Comma resolves all ambiguity. For instance: https://rent.men/Oxfordcomma

[mike carey]

Oxford Comma resolves all ambiguity.

The Oxford comma is a cult.

[Kenny]

The Oxford comma is a cult.

Explains why they’re on their knees.

[Tommygunzz]

Typewriter convention is 2 spaces after a period, which I was taught in typing class. 2 spaces after a state and before the zip code too. Also, as an aside, no period after Ms, because, unlike Mr. and Mrs, it is not an abbreviation for anything.

 

I don't think the two space rule after the state still applies, since the correct state abbreviations no longer include periods, just like Ms. Discuss.

[Epigonos]

As much as I enjoy this type of discussion, in reality, it is just a tempest in a teapot. Who really cares whether one uses one or two spaces after a period. I, for instance, use one if I remember to do so but most often my memory fails me and I use two.

Edited July 31, 2018 by Epigonos

[+ Avalon]

Same here, two spaces after periods. Still do it in texts and anywhere else. Just a habit. I am also staunchly pro-Oxford Comma!

 

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/what-is-the-oxford-comma-and-why-do-people-care-so-much-about-it/

 

I like it!

[+ bashful]

I am also staunchly pro-Oxford Comma

 

I never realized the correct placement of a comma had a name.

Edited July 31, 2018 by bashful

[Rudynate]

So the Oxford comma is the old-fashioned way of placing a comma before the "and" or "or" that precedes the final term in a series? I'm so used to the modern way that omits the final comma that I think the Oxford comma looks busy.

[+ Avalon]

So the Oxford comma is the old-fashioned way of placing a comma before the "and" or "or" that precedes the final term in a series? I'm so used to the modern way that omits the final comma that I think the Oxford comma looks busy.

 

I think it avoids ambiguity especially with "and".

[+ g56whiz]

So the Oxford comma is the old-fashioned way of placing a comma before the "and" or "or" that precedes the final term in a series? I'm so used to the modern way that omits the final comma that I think the Oxford comma looks busy.

Agreed. But @Kenny has a point I’d like to pursue.

Oxford Comma resolves all ambiguity. For instance: https://rent.men/Oxfordcomma

[Rudynate]

I think it avoids ambiguity especially with "and".

 

I think I remember the rationale for it was that the "and" is a replacement for the comma. So having both "and" and a comma is redundant.

[+ Avalon]

I think I remember the rationale for it was that the "and" is a replacement for the comma. So having both "and" and a comma is redundant.

 

Interesting but sometimes there are pairs of things, but using "&" instead of "and" that would clarify the matter.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

I tend to give her a lot of space after a period.

 

Midol only solves so much.

[rvwnsd]

...Midol only solves so much.

However, when taken after a night of having a cocktail or twelve it makes one feel so much better in the AM.

[mike carey]

I never realized the correct placement of a comma had a name.

Lol, it's not 'correct' (or incorrect for that matter), it's one convention of how to punctuate a list. Pro- and anti-Oxford comma advocates can be rather dogmatic in their views! IDGAF.

I think it avoids ambiguity especially with "and".

Yes it does avoid ambiguity when there is ambiguity in the way the list is written. I use that comma, or other punctuation, if there is any ambiguity and omit it if there is not. I found it interesting having worked in both systems that the USAF writing guide mandated its use whereas the RAAF (actually Australian Defence Force) guide said the default was to omit it.

[Despardo]

One. I took a lot of convincing to get me to change a lifetime habit learned in HS typing.

 

2 spaces after a period adds clarity on a typewriter where all letters are equally spaced. A modern word processing computer program automatically justifies the spaces between letters, words and sentences so that the type reads optimally well. Many programs will eliminate the double space if you persist in using it.

[HotWhiteThirties]

If your intention is clarity, as well as efficiency, the Oxford Comma can accommodate. Why have to constantly take the time to make the judgment for its use? When writing a series of 3 or more, do the reader a favor, be clear every time, and reduce the risk of ambiguity or requiring the reader to ‘re-read’ a series you’ve written to be sure they’ve got it correct. Simply use a comma before “and.” This way you can chalk it up to being considerate of others, even if it otherwise disturbs your sensibilities.

 

And now that we’ve sufficiently debated the use of a comma, you can return to your regularly scheduled programming of discussing periods and the amount of space needed between one’s self and women when they have them, and/or when we type. Whichever interpretation you prefer. :p:p

Edited July 31, 2018 by HotWhiteThirties

[Samfoslom]

Same here, two spaces after periods. Still do it in texts and anywhere else. Just a habit. I am also staunchly pro-Oxford Comma!

 

Love the Oxford Comma !! it's what separates us from the animals

[mike carey]

Love the Oxford Comma !! it's what separates us from the animals

Quite so, I have never met a dog or a giraffe that uses an Oxford comma.