To not put a double space before a sentence?

[beeefcake]

Having a debate with a colleague who insists the correct way to type is with a double space before the start of each sentence within a paragraph.

To me this looks strange and is unnecessary with modern word formatting which naturally creates a slightly bigger space after a full stop.

AIBU???????

Do people really notice though? I don't think I have ever noticed how many spaces people put between sentences.

I always notice – editor's curse – but would only correct them in a professional capacity!

I notice because I have the symbols showing on MS word so can see the dreaded 2 (AND SOMETIMES 3!!!!) dots when I'm adding to a colleagues work. I go through and take them all out as I think it looks messy

When I did my English degree we were told to display indented paragraphs. I don’t do it when writing letters but for all my essays I did.

I've never done the double space thing and I wouldn't, it just looks odd.

I work for multiple pharmaceutical companies - most of whom have style guides (naming font, size etc..) Some have a double space after a full stop rule and others don't. Either look fine when printed out. Both are acceptable to Health Authorities globally.

It's the way I've learnt to do it and the way I always do it! Don't like it with just one space.

Also this was only 10/11 years ago so not really really long ago as some might suggest

I was always taught to double space and I even do this in text messages! Didn't know it wasn't the done thing anymore and I write reports for a living!

Shit. Today is the first day in my whole life that I've felt 'old fashioned'. I learned Typewriting to RSA standards back in the 80s when it was 'correct' to double space. I've used double spacing ever since. Shit. I thought I was still relatively young. Shit.

I’m in my 40s too and was taught 2 spaces before full stop. But I don’t do it now, however I know it was a thing before.

They're clueless about Oxford commas too.

What do you mean, @downhereinthehorridhouse?

Oxford commas are a style choice. They're used in the USA, less so here. A publisher shouldn't be 'clueless' about them.

They are different from a comma before the last item in a list to ensure the list makes sense (e.g. in 'I'd like to thank my parents, God and Mother Teresa') the comma is correct. It's NOT an Oxford comma; it's just a comma to ensure the sentence is correct.

And I'm glad your publisher is using single spaces after a full stop! Anything else would be very odd. NONE of thepublishers I work ith use two spaes. Nobody in publishing does.

But there's no need to feel sad about it - if you have some definite style preferences, then talk to your editor about them!! You will probably be able to come to some agreement, if you are correct. Most publishers tend to go with author preferences if they have strong views, and are consistent.

I notice because I have the symbols showing on MS word so can see the dreaded 2 (AND SOMETIMES 3!!!!) dots when I'm adding to a colleagues work. I go through and take them all out as I think it looks messy

I hope you're using Find nd Replace to do this quickly, @beeefcake?

Two spaces after full stop and one after a comma. I've been a secretary for 10+ years in two big organisations and this is 100% how we do it. Admittedly an apprentice started and was just putting one space but we soon taught her otherwise!

Some of the one space supporters on here are very determined, insisting one space is right and two is wrong when its not. I shall continue using two spaces and firmly believe it makes reading easier, especially if speed reading.

I think either is fine. I've never done it.

I always do double space and dont get grammar lines

I draft letters at work which have to be approved by my manager. I only use one space after a full stop but my manager uses two. He sometimes will add sentences so my drafts end up being a mixture of the two!

I always do it when using a computer or even on a phone, if I'm sending an email. I'm in my mid-thirties.

Single spacing between sentances looks unprofessional.

Spelling mistakes don't look too good either. :)

I do this out of habit. I couldn't stop it if I tried. I learned to type in the mid 80s. However I have no opinions or thoughts about it either way, and I couldn't give a toss if other people do it or not unlike those who write 'should of'

I'm 35 and was taught to double space. I had no idea that it was no longer the done thing until I read this thread!

YANBU. The two space rule applied to manual typewriters - helped with legibility as there was no formatting. Then word processing came in and the programmes adjust the spacing automatically, so the rule is defunct.

I was the final year group to experience typewriter lessons at my school*. We did some kind of RSA certificate a few years later on word processors. I remember double spacing being mentioned, but it's never been a habit.

I had to relearn not indenting paragraphs when adjusting from hand written essays to word processed.

• Thank goodness, my fingers were too small and weak. I didn't have the hand span to reach all letters for touch typing, and my fingers frequently rebounded off and got stuck in the gaps. I did have a working toy typewritter though

Interesting! I used to do a lot of professional report writing and always used a double space after a full stop, this was the established writing style of the firm I worked for. I’m 33 so not exactly ancient (and it was a very ‘young’ firm that I was taught this in). It’s a habit now and I don’t think I could break it. I used double spacing in all my university submissions and got a 1.1 (this year) from a world top 200 university so don’t think I was marked down for it. I personally prefer how it looks but again that’s probably habit and wouldn’t get too het up about it.

It's the old school way. These days its at best not needed and at worst rather old fashioned. Know your audience, I'd say. If it's a tech company they'll probably think you hilariously fusty, if it's a company with a traditional image, old school may well be what they're going for.