When typesetting documents in LaTeX, ensuring proper line breaks is crucial for maintaining a good appearance. However, there are instances where you may want to control line breaks manually, especially when dealing with phrases or words that should stay together. In this guide, we’ll explore various commands to prevent line breaks in LaTeX.
Method 1: Using ~ and \, Commands
LaTeX provides two simple commands, ~ and \,, to prevent line breaks between specific words. These commands are handy for keeping words together without any gaps. For example:
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
With his keen investigative skills and attention to detail, James~Anderson, a seasoned detective, cracked the case wide open.
\end{document}Output
In this case, \, ensures that the words “James” and “Anderson” stay on the same line.
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Dedicated her life to unraveling the mysteries of the human brain working, Samantha\,Miller is a renowned neuroscientist.
\end{document}Output
In this case, \, ensures that the words “Samantha” and “Miller” stay on the same line.
Method 2: Using \nolinebreak Command
The \nolinebreak command is another option for preventing line breaks at a particular point. It is particularly useful to avoid breaking a line between specific words. However, it should be followed by a backslash (\) and a space (blank space) to function correctly. For example:
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
With his keen investigative skills and attention to detail, James\nolinebreak\ Anderson, a seasoned detective, cracked the case wide open.
\end{document}Output
In this case, \nolinebreak\ ensures that the words “James” and “Anderson” stay on the same line.
Note: The commands such as ∼, \, and \nolinebreak are generally unsuitable, especially when aiming to prevent the splitting of a word. If these commands are manually placed between two letters of a word, an undesirable gap may be created within the word. In such a case, method 3 is used.
Method 3: Using \mbox{} Command
While the previously mentioned commands are effective for preventing line breaks between words, they may not be suitable for preventing the splitting of a single word. In such cases, the \mbox{} command comes to the rescue. This command prevents its argument from splitting into two lines. For example:
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Dedicated her life to unraveling the mysteries of the human brain, \mbox{Samantha Miller} is a renowned neuroscientist.
\end{document}Output
Here, the entire name, “Samantha Miller,” will be printed on the same line without any breaks.
Note: It’s essential to note that while the above commands effectively prevent line breaks, they may also lead to texts extending beyond the page width. To avoid this issue, it’s recommended to carefully review the output after using these commands.
