I say it’s two, that’s what I was taught growing up and I don’t see any reason to change it. It wasn’t until I submitted my weekly PriceGrabber.com column that receiving an email from the editor saying, “for future reference, only one space after the periods, not two.” Hmmf.

So, I decided I’d go online and see what the truth is. Am I crazy? I know that I always double space after my periods and closing punctuation. But it now is seemingly wrong?

I was surfing for insight, actually, at this point I was looking for support in my position when I ran across Howard’s Musings who also had a complete hashing regarding the topic. His words came across my eyes - as if I were saying them myself,

“Heresy, I know, but it’s true. When I write, I think in paragraphs and sentences. Hitting (period)(space)(space) is a physical reminder that I’ve completed a thought. It kicks my mind into the next sentence.

Similarly, I remember training people on Microsoft Word. I was a huge fan of formatting paragraphs so they had extra blank space at the end. The benefit? Well, you could save yourself the trouble of hitting (enter) twice to make that space.

Now I realize that hitting (enter) twice is a good thing. Just like twin spaces after a period, it gives me a physical cue that I’ve shifted gears. I’ve completed a paragraph and it’s time to move on to the next. “

So, I guess I’m not the only one who thinks he’s crazy. IN fact, I’m not the only one who thinks I’m right, Howard does too! And so many others.. Now the comments tend to give credibility that the Chicago Book of Style may lean in my direction.

But, for all readers who really don’t understand what I’m saying. Click on comment below, type a sentence then type the period and hit [space] [space]. Doesn’t that feel good? Make you want to type more? Well, it does me, and the more you do it, the more inspired you will be.

Brings a good closure.

Doesn’t it?

Kinda like hitting return twice.

It’s nice.