 Word spaces , preceding or following punctuation , should be <unk> adjusted to appear to be of the same value as a standard word space . If a standard word space is inserted after a full point or a comma , then , <unk> , this produces a space of up to 50 % wider than that of other word spaces within a line of type . This is because these punctuation marks carry space above them , which , when added to the adjacent standard word spaces , combines to create a visually larger space . Some argue that the " additional " space after a comma and full point serves as a " pause signal " for the reader . But this is unnecessary ( and visually disruptive ) since the pause signal is provided by the punctuation mark itself . 
