Microsoft Word Declares Putting A Double Space Between Words Is Wrong

Grammar, spelling and punctuation can present a problem to many of us - something which computers have theoretically made easier.

For those of us who grew up in a time before Google Docs, Microsoft Word remains the ubiquitous word processor, and it's always on hand with that little narc Clippy, letting us know when we've made a mistake with a little squiggly line.

But there's one thing the document application has consistently to do - and now that's been fixed. Yep, Word will now let you know that you shouldn't double space between words.

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The application will now place a red squiggly line in any two spaced gap, signifying the error. The update will be rolled out gradually across the world so keep an eye out for when it comes through.

However, it seems like the declaration hasn't gone down well with some people.

One person wrote on Reddit: "Double spacer for life!!!!! #oldschool"

Another added: "Lies! Deceit! Tyranny!"

A third said: "NOBODY ASKED YOU, CLIPPY!!! Gosh!"

Razvan Antonescu (Flickr)

For whatever reason, there are plenty of people who do it because they think it looks nicer or it gives each word a little breathing space.

According to CNN, it can be a relic of the typewriting days, where a double space helped to 'clearly define the end of a sentence'.

A person on Reddit explained: "Typesetters and others in the print industry never needed to do this, as they could adjust the space between sentences for maximum legibility.

"Now that everyone's using a computer, we all have access to the typesetting spacing. There's no need to put double spaces after a period."

So be warned that over the coming weeks you could find your Word documents filled with way more squiggly red lines than previously expected. Stop double spacing.

Topics: News, Technology

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie