Teaches Storytelling and Writing. While there are many formal rules for punctuation marks and formatting, it’s easy to get tripped up on whether to use one or two spaces after a period. Learn why two spaces were originally used after a period and why the general rule today is to use one space after a period.
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When did 2 spaces after a period change?
In the April 2020 update, Microsoft Word started highlighting two spaces after a period as an error, and offers a correction of one space.
Should you put two spaces after a period?
Nearly all style guides agree that one space is correct.
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) was the only style guide that overtly recommended two spaces after a period, and even that long-time holdout for two spaces changed its guideline to one space in its 2019 update.
Do you single space after a period?
According to the AP Stylebook, single-spacing is correct. The same goes for the Chicago Manual of Style. However, the Modern Language Association Style Center offers different advice, and suggests that writers use a single space after a period unless they have been explicitly told otherwise.
Do you double space after a period in MLA?
The MLA Style Center
Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark, unless your instructor prefers two spaces. Whichever spacing you choose, be sure to use it consistently throughout your paper.
What does 2 periods mean in texting?
It is used to indicate a break: either a break in thought, or a break in communication medium (text, email, etc.) where the same thought will be continued in. The two dot ellipsis is not an official punctuation.
How many spaces after a period is legal?
two spaces
1. Always place two spaces — no more, no less — after a period or other punctuation ending a sentence. This rule should be applied in all instances, including those where a citation follows the period.
How many spaces after a period after an abbreviation?
Two spaces
Two spaces follow an abbreviation at the end of a sentence that makes a statement. If the abbreviation ends with a period, that period also serves to mark the end of the sentence. If the abbreviation ends without a period, insert one to mark the end of the sentence and then leave two spaces.
How many spaces after a full stop Oxford?
Two spaces
Two spaces after each full stop. Every time. Easy.
Do you space after a slash?
A. If the slash divides two words, there is no space. If it divides two phrases or sentences (or a single word from a phrase), it requires a space before and after.
Are there spaces after ellipses?
Whether you put spaces between the dots or not is a matter of style. The Chicago Manual of Style calls for spaces between every ellipsis point. The AP Stylebook says to treat the ellipsis as a three-letter word, with spaces on either side of the ellipsis but no spaces between the dots.
How many spaces after a period in Canada?
However, major style books such as the Harvard Style Guide, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, the Chicago Manual of Style and The Canadian Style, specify that there should only be a single space after a concluding punctuation mark. This rule applies to English and French.
How many spaces after a period Strunk and White?
You might begin your reading on the topic at Slate: “Why You Should Never, Ever Use Two Spaces After a Period“ or over at PR Daily: “The Rule Stands: One Space After a Period.
How many spaces go after a period in MLA?
Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise prompted by your instructor). Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
How many spaces after a period in a document?
And, according to nearly all stylebooks, including The Associated Press Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style, you always use a single space after a period. The point is, it’s not only widely accepted, it’s expected that you use only one space after a period. Sorry two-spaces, it’s time to make the switch.
What do 3 full stops mean?
ellipsis
An ellipsis is a set of three periods ( . . . ) indicating an omission. Each period should have a single space on either side, except when adjacent to a quotation mark, in which case there should be no space.
What does 3 dots mean in texting?
ellipsis
The ellipsis …, . . ., or (in Unicode) , also known informally as dot-dot-dot, is a series of (usually three) dots that indicates an intentional omission of a word, sentence, or whole section from a text without altering its original meaning.
What does it mean when you put dots after a sentence?
ellipsis
Those little dots often found in a sentence or quote are called an ellipsis. The term ellipsis comes from the Greek word meaning ‘omission,’ and that’s just what it does: an ellipsis shows that something has been left out.You can also use an ellipsis to show a pause in speech or the ‘trailing off’ of a sentence.
Why do lawyers put two spaces after a period?
He explains that the use of two spaces between sentences derives from when everyone was writing on manual typewriters. Due to how typewriters handled proportionate spacing, it was easier to read typewritten documents which placed two periods between sentences.
Do you use the Oxford comma in legal writing?
Lawyers should use the Oxford comma to help avoid ambiguity. Three ambiguities may arise without this comma: Whether the two final items in a list are one combined element or separate.
Does Bluebook use Oxford comma?
Oxford commas and ampersands should not be used together. Note that in citations, et al. is preferred unless all of the names are particularly relevant. See Bluebook Rule 15.1(b).