Mar 26 2009
Do you have any grammatical or formatting questions?
If you have any questions about formatting a comic book script or novel manuscript, or any questions about grammar/punctuation/capitalization, please post them here.
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Is there supposed to be one space or two spaces between sentences? I’ve been taught both ways, and I’ve just been wondering. Right now I’m using one space because I, personally, like it better. But I’m not sure if one way is “correct” and one is “wrong”. Does it even matter?
If it helps, Fitz, I only use one, and I don’t know a single person who uses two.
Doubles-spacing is used in the business world, when writing reports and letters, it’s some type of formality. I don’t think you have to use two when you write for pleasure.
I don’t think it matters, unless you’re sending a letter to a college or something like that.
Ah, thanks Marissa and Ragged Boy.
According to this article two spaces is correct for typewriters or monospaced fonts, but it’s better to use one space with everything else. So I’ve just been taught old-school. I’m using one space from now on.
Er. Sorry. That’s wrong. It says “Professional typesetters, designers, and desktop publishers should use one space only. Save the double spaces for typewriting, email, term papers, or personal correspondence. For everyone else, do whatever makes you feel good.”
Since I’m no professional, I’m just going with one space.
Oh and Ragged Boy, I’m using it for an English paper, no it’s not exactly “for pleasure.”
I’ve never heard of any case where two spaces are appropriate. But that’s just me.
I’m not sure your teacher would be so picky, if it’s just an English paper. It really depends on how high up your English class is.
Yeah, I’m sure it doesn’t really matter for the paper, but I was just wondering in general.
It looks like everyone here only uses one space, so maybe I was just taught wrong when I was younger.
Or everyone you know could be playing grammar-related practical jokes on you. You never know.
…Grammar-related practical jokes.
I don’t think there’s a single person alive who has that little of a life.
I knew it! Time to start plotting my revenge…
I prefer having two spaces after periods, but WordPress can’t handle it. WordPress automatically removes the second space.
Also, the professional world almost always prints with single-spaces.
–Novels are printed with single spaces to save room.
–Comic books are printed with single spaces to be more stylish and save space.
–When I do my webcomic, I go with a single space for aesthetic reasons.
I use two spaces.
Every publisher/agent I have looked at says for submissions use two spaces. Honestly – you can look up the websites of any novel publisher/agent you like. If they accept unsolicited submissions there will be a part that has submission guidelines.
Which is correct?
“We enjoyed serving you; please come again soon” OR “We enjoyed serving you, please come again soon”?
Thanks!
The semi-colon fits much better than the comma here. However, I’d prefer a period to a semi-colon. Also, I’d recommend replacing the word “again” with “back” for rhythmic reasons.
Okay, thanks!
(I’ve become addicted to smilies! I must find a smiley rehab clinic. Haha.)
Or leave again, but remove soon. (please come again).
Yeah, I agree that “Please come again” has a nice rhythm to it.