One or two spaces? Do you use one or two spaces to end one sentence and start another?

With the introduction of digital publishing and improved kerning systems, common protocol calls for one space, whereas the physically printed word previously used two.

I have been a large fan of two spaces to provide an additional indication that a sentence had completed and another was beginning. A period (‘.’) on its own does not necessarily accomplish that as it could be used as an abbreviation, ellipsis, or for some other use. One space is used to separate words and two spaces has always been used to denote the end of one sentence and the beginning of another.

But now, you often do not have a choice in the digital world to choose between one or two spaces. Conversion to Kindle format and any HTML browser strips out extra spaces after the first one. At first I hated seeing one space used to separate sentences. People kept telling me using one space was a productivity improvement (seriously?); others said it was convention and we should follow convention (I have never followed that advice!); and worst of all, others said it did not matter.

One or two spaces? I used to insist on two; both my books Still Stupid at Sixty and Wine Sense: The At of Appreciating Wine were formatted using two spaces between sentences.  But since so many editing and publishing platforms no longer provide you a choice, I have elected to fall into line and now use one instead of two spaces, but only because one space is looking more readable than it had previously!  I believe an author must make their material as readable as possible for the reader: they must use proper grammar, not misspell words; and format a book properly using a readable font, line spacing and sufficient margins, and this includes the spacing between sentences! One or two spaces? For me now, one space between sentences accomplishes that while it did not before – that and only that is the reason I have been converted.

Some of my friends are still holding out and insisting on two spaces, but for me, I now use one. My editors are happy about it and I am getting used to it. (And yes, there is that 1% – 2% productivity improvement that comes with only using one space!)

Steve Shipley, author of Wine Sense, available now!
© 2015.  InkIT Publishing.  All rights reserved.
InkIT Publishing on Facebook
Inspirational Writing and Publishing Pinterest Boards
Twitter:  InkIT Publishing  @inkitpub;  Steve Shipley  @shipleyaust