# Use a single space between words (EK00025)

import { Aside, Badge } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';

Consistent single spacing between words and after each period keeps your documentation clean and easy to read. EkLine flags two or more spaces between words, or a missing space after sentence-ending punctuation (rule EK00025).

## Why does consistent spacing matter in documentation?

Uneven spacing is invisible while you type but shows up as ragged gaps or run-together sentences once your documentation renders. A single space between words and after each period keeps paragraphs uniform and easy to read. Consistent spacing also prevents diff noise and helps automated tooling parse your text reliably.

## What EkLine flags

EK00025 matches two or more consecutive spaces between words, or a sentence-ending period with no space before the next word.

- ❌ **Incorrect:** Save the file.  Then restart the service.
- ✅ **Correct:** Save the file. Then restart the service.
- ❌ **Incorrect:** The upload ends.Start the next step.
- ✅ **Correct:** The upload ends. Start the next step.

## How to fix

Replace multiple spaces with a single space, and add a space after any sentence-ending punctuation that lacks one.

<Aside type="tip">
Enable "show whitespace" in your editor to spot double spaces at a glance, then let EkLine confirm the fix on your next review.
</Aside>

## FAQ

### Should you use one space or two after a period?

Use a single space. One space after each period keeps paragraphs uniform and matches current style conventions.

### Why do extra spaces go unnoticed while typing?

Spacing is invisible as you type but shows up as ragged gaps or run-together sentences once your documentation renders.

## Rule details

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Rule ID | `EK00025` |
| Category | Spelling and grammar |
| Default severity | <Badge text="Error" variant="danger" /> |
| Enabled by default | Yes |

## Ignore this rule

To keep the spacing on one line, add an inline comment:

```markdown
<!-- ekline-ignore-next-line EK00025 -- aligned columns need extra spaces -->
name    role    status
```

To disable the rule across your project, add it to the `ignore` list in your [configuration file](/reviewer/configuration/ignoring-rules/#ignore).

## Related rules

- [EK00024](/reviewer/rules/ek00024/) — Avoid repeated words
- [EK00028](/reviewer/rules/ek00028/) — Avoid spaces before or after a dash