\<space>

LaTeX normally leaves a little extra space after sentences. However, it uses a rather simple rule for determining whether a period ends a sentence: it assumes that periods end sentences unless they follow an upper case letter. To let LaTeX know that a period does not end a sentence after, for example, an abbreviation, use:

\<space>

For example,

  Jones, et al.\ (1993) ...
Such a space may also be needed after a text-producing command, such as one defined with \newcommand. As an example, consider
  \newcommand{\water}{H$_2$O}
  \water, \water\ everywhere, but not a drop ...
Note that LaTeX does not leave a space between the first \water and the comma -- as desired. However, it would not leave a space after the second one, running H2Owater into one word, except for the trailing \ .
See \@. for the opposite case
See also Line and Page Breaking, Spaces and Boxes
Go to LaTeX Table of Contents
Sheldon Green, agxsg@giss.nasa.gov, 10 May 1995.