r2i forum

Space before a colon?

Modern English and word grammar checks clearly state there should be no space prior to a colon.

How big is this error? Say for example an important mail/CV has been sent with a bullet point list containing colons that is preceded by spaces .. something like A : 1, 2, 3 and B : 3, 4, 5

is it a noticeable error? or can it be ignored? does it require a resend after realizing that its an error assuming it was overlooked while sending ..

Thanks!

It is more a style guideline, than grammar. The style guidelines are there for readability.

Per APA (American Psychological Association) Style, I see that they don't talk about space before colon.

http://www2.smumn.edu/deptpages/~tcwritingcenter/APA/APA_Punctuation.pdf

Same with Chicago Manual of Style.

As for space after, it depends. If a colon is used for ratios, then no space is required (e.g., 3:4). Also, if it is chapter-to-page, no space is required (e.g. CH14:214-215). So, it depends on the usage. One thing that is not in style anymore is is colon followed by em-dash as in :-.

As for it being considered as error, I don't think so. But if you are applying for a job that requires you to adhere to some standard style guideline, it may be noticeable.

I use 2 spaces after "period". I am used to that. Some style guidelines indicate that one space suffice. So be it, but I am comfortable with 2 spaces.

boca2blr;405398It is more a style guideline, than grammar. The style guidelines are there for readability.
.......

I use 2 spaces after "period". I am used to that. Some style guidelines indicate that one space suffice. So be it, but I am comfortable with 2 spaces.

I like 2 spaces. This forum post automatically shrinks that down to one. So annyoing.
I like 2 spaces. This forum post automatically shrinks that down to one. So annyoing. (this has 3 spaces between sentences )
I like 2 spaces. This forum post automatically shrinks that down to one. So annyoing. (this has 4 spaces)
I like 2 spaces......This forum post automatically shrinks that down to one.....So annyoing. (this has 5 spaces )

all of the above get cropped to one, as soon as I click the post button. When I click edit and go back and look at it, it shows me the correct number of spaces I had put in between the sentences; but when I "post", back to one space.

http://wikimania2006.wikimedia.org/wiki/Colon:_Space_after_not_before

It clearly says in so many articles that a space is NOT to be provided before a colon and its a grammatical error if used (not a matter of style guideline)

tnadu;405406http://wikimania2006.wikimedia.org/wiki/Colon:_Space_after_not_before

It clearly says in so many articles that a space is NOT to be provided before a colon and its a grammatical error if used (not a matter of style guideline)

Ok. :) So, it "clearly" says. Why ask here then?

Wiki sites are where random folks type whatever they want. They are not valid if they don't provide source of their statements like "it is bad grammar".

Can you instead point us to the grammar source? Like say, www.grammarbook.com (http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/colons.asp)?

MS Word upon grammar check, identifies a space before the colon as an error and suggests correction.

The French language still retains the space though but in English, its considered an error

The general guideline is as below

http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/punctuationtext.htm

Also, is the phrase "under progress" correct? Does it mean the same as "in progress". Upon searching, "under progress" seems to be rarely used in the western world and all the websites that use it are Indian based ones. Thoughts?

tnadu;405384Space before a colon?

is it a noticeable error? or can it be ignored? does it require a resend after realizing that its an error assuming it was overlooked while sending ..

It is a noticeable error, some however, may not notice it. For a CV, I would not send it again. It may just highlight the unnoticed or inconsequential error.

Yes, I have found MS spell checker to be not so smart sometimes. But for grammar, it is best to trust one’s own knowledge than rely on mechanical spell checkers/parsers, because rules change based on context, I think.

About "in/under progress" phrase, hadn’t thought about the western usage. Again I think boils down to choice of words based on context.

I have heard folks in west say – "If work is still under progress, I’ll check back later" or "Work in progress, please check back later".

Often, dictionaries and manuals describe what is in common usage, as well as prescribe what is the correct form to use. When newly coined words are used and understood, then people overcome the cringe factor and succumb to using it. Phrases like "going forward" and "at the end of the day" used to evoke snickers, but now they are not even noticed when present.
IMO, this use of "under progress", is missing a hyphen. It may either mean "in progress" as a promise to reveal more in the future, or it may imply a report on a status, a regret for not having progressed more. The words (single words !) underweight, underdevelopment are in this latter class. It depends on the context wherein "under-progress" is used. The phrase "under progress" or the word "under-progress" could be in progress towards a single unhyphenated word going forward, as it were.

Thanks all. Training course is in progress vs Training course is under progress.

I was thinking both mean the same. But still not clear - Do not want under progress to be interpreted as "not on schedule" :-)

English Gurus here - what do you think?

dbs ji, thanks - yes, it might be inconsequential but not sure if would get noticed if some one has repeatedly inserted a space through out the text prior to the colon (atleast some 10 times!)

Thanks.