Sequencing Rules

• The words "and" "for" "of" "the" and "with" may be written without a space between themselves and the word that follows, or without a space between themselves and a word sign that comes before them.

On the banks of the river Jordan. o!bnks (!riv} jordn4

• The word signs "an" "as" "at" and "it" may be written close-up with the next word.

As it happens, I am very much at home here. zxh-5s1 i1v m* 'hme "h4

• Two-celled word signs may be written close with the word that comes after them.

When did she write her book? @$_d@%"0_8bk8

• The words "a" and "have" can be written without a space and the word that comes before.

Giant squids have eyes as big as watermelons. g,nt sqidsh eyz zbig zwt}mlns4

• "Come" "enough" and "in" may join a following word sign or a word sign with added letters or prefixes.

Come see the bearded lady! -^s!~2d$ ldy6

• The other lower signs "am", "be", "is", "are", "been", "were", "his", "was", join the word that precedes and the word that follows. They can also join the word that follows if they are preceded by opening punctuation marks or the word that preceeds if they are followed by closing punctuation marks.

What are you going to be for Halloween this year? $4y `g 62=h[e5 ? ~y8

• The sign for "am" can begin a sequence if followed by the word "I".

Am I in the right place? 1i 9!"rpl-8

• The signs for "are" and "is" can begin a sequence if followed by a word sign or compound word sign without any word preceding them.

Is there any oxygen in space? 3"!`&oxyg5 9 <-8

• Only the sign for "the", or a lower word sign, can join a word beginning with "be", "con", or "dis".

The constitution was ratified June 21, 1788. !3/itu;n0rtifi$ #fuqhh4

• The signs for "to", "into", and "by", may be joined by a lower word sign only.

He is to come into the school at half past 12. @836-96!s*~l 'hlf p/ #l4

• If the meaning is made clearer, do not omit space.
• A sequence may not be formed if it ends up creating a separate, unintentional word.

It tends to have that effect. x t5ds 6h t e6ct4

A Space is Necessary

• After

  • Ending or Closing punctuation marks

  "Go to your room!" was Mother's motto. 8g `\&pl`60 0 "m's mo0o4

  • Any word with free-standing letters, a.k.a. non-wordsigns

  The early bird catches the worm. !e>~ bird ct*z !worm4

  • The exclamation "O"

  O the humanity! o !humn;6

  • The symbols for copyright, trademark, and ampersand (So they aren't mistaken for two-celled word signs)

  Copyright © 1979 by Some Author copy"r ^c #sgi 0"sau?r

• Before

  • Beginning or opening punctuation marks

  She said, "What are you doing?" @%sd1 8$4y `d80

  • The signs for "be", "con", or "dis", when preceded by anything other than the sign for "the", or a lower wird sign.

  They began to shriek with distress. @< 2gn 6%r,k '!3/# ) 4tr.4

  • The letter sign

  Pat It and Prick It and Mark It with B. pat x&prick x&m>k x) ;b4

  • The italic sign

What the heck are you doing here? $!heck 4 .y @d"h8

• Between

  • "come", "enough", "in", and a word

  There are really enough chickens in here already. "!4[,y 5 *ick5s 9"halr4

  • A non-lower word sign followed by "to", "into", or "by"

  Go into the shop to see the new items by the artisan. g 96!%op 6~s!nw itms 0!>tisn4

Back to Rules