The use of double word spaces between sentences can be seen in this justified setting from 1844, excerpted from a reproduction of a Caslon Old Face specimen catalog. Over time, this convention declined in commercial usage, and was replaced by single word spaces, which eventually became the accepted practice in professional typesetting – and one that has continued on to this day. Double word spaces were frequently (albeit inconsistently) used in handset metal type settings, especially to help “force” justified type. Truth be known, this practice far preceded typewriters, as documented in Jim Felici’s excellent treatise on this subject. Here’s the scoop…ĭouble word spaces between sentences is a practice commonly believed to have evolved from the use of typewriters. In fact, it is considered a serious type crime and a sure sign of an amateur. Should you put one word space between sentences or two? This question continues to be hotly debated between people in personal, professional, and educational settings, as well as in blogs, newspapers, online news resources, and even dinner parties! But for designers (or anyone setting typography as opposed to just “typing”), it should be a non-issue: double spaces between sentences does NOT have a place in professional typesetting.
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