*READ THIS* X space : space Y

[Erin]

Please follow GRE punctuation rules when posting GRE analogies and antonyms.

This is good:

COLOR : SPECTRUM

(notice the space on either side of the colon)

This is BAD:

COLOR:SPECTRUM

(notice the LACK of space on either side of the colon)

There are MANY reasons to follow these conventions, but for us, the most important is that incorrect posts invoke "BB code" and cause certain letter and punctuation combinations to show up as smilies.

[alwaysahead]

So, what are you gonna prove with this??
Does it give any hint?

[Erin]

Well, here's an example. Imagine you need to write this analogy:

dog : puppy

Look what happens without the spaces:

doguppy

Or similarly,

PUPPY : DOG

ends up like this with no spaces:

PUPPYOfficial Guide

The reason this happens is that the forum automatically changes certain combinations into smilies.

Also, you will notice that the official questions use spaces, too.

[sh4h4d4t]

That's a good suggestion for the newbies here. Thanks a lot Erin

[computer-bot]

I made this mistake yesterday. It's good that more and more people know it. Good suggestion Erin.

CB

[mewidyu]

thanx for the suggestion erin...

[ram.anji577]

thanks

[dargtim]

Interesting. I'm new, so that'd be helpful.

[sham12345]

its a good thing.

[rose0550]

Thanks for the information