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#2 (permalink) Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:36 am Correct spacing |
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Hi Alex, yes the punctuation rules also cover the spaces and of course a text is much easier to read if the spaces are in the correct places. It is interesting that many learners who ask how they can improve their English don't follow the basic punctuation rules and try to invent their own instead. Interestingly enough, I see a lot of Americans leaving two spaces between sentences and I wonder if this is old-fashioned style or accepted standard. _________________ Test Of English for International Communication TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary |
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Torsten Learning Coach

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 10867 Location: EU
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#3 (permalink) Wed Nov 22, 2006 20:28 pm Correct spacing |
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Hi
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| However,the space is required after the commas,dots,questions marks etc ... |
I never learnt special English rules for spacing. Luckily, main rules (like the quoted one) are the same as in my first language - and I do it automatically (thanks to my strict school teacher :)).
As a matter of fact, sometimes I see something different and unusual to me - like such use of double hyphen:
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
| I've never heard your first 'rule' about which-- I think it is apocryphal. |
and take it 'as it is' and without any cry :) But I myself don't use it. _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
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Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
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#4 (permalink) Wed Nov 22, 2006 20:54 pm Correct spacing |
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| Torsten wrote: |
| Interestingly enough, I see a lot of Americans leaving two spaces between sentences and I wonder if this is old-fashioned style or accepted standard. |
8) I was specifically taught that there must be two spaces after both a period (at the end of a sentence) and a colon when I took my typing course many, many moons ago and I've never changed this habit. However, that "rule" may well have changed in the meantime. One thing that drives me crazy is no space at all between sentences. Lots of Germans do this. Is/Was this taught in schools here, Torsten?
Amy |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#5 (permalink) Wed Nov 22, 2006 20:59 pm Correct spacing |
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Hi Amy, I think leaving no space between a sentences is simply a bad habit that makes reading any text difficult. I can't imagine that this was taught in any school. Maybe those Germans who are doing this have difficulties typing a text? _________________ Test Of English for International Communication TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary |
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Torsten Learning Coach

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 10867 Location: EU
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#6 (permalink) Thu Nov 23, 2006 18:44 pm Correct spacing |
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The Germans I know all have nice and understandable spacing :) however, one of my colleagues, for some reason, adds three spaces at the beginning of each line... looks very weird! _________________ my game is fair play |
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Aereal I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 149 Location: England (the new one)
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