Since this seems to only happen to me sometimes and no one else seems to be able to reproduce this issue, I do not see what else I can do, thank you for following this issue Kathrynwp. :)

-John Jr

The reason that I am mentioning the Zemanta extension too is because so far this problem happens sometimes when either of those two are enabled it seems, but I am not sure if this has ever happened with Zemanta disabled or not yet; since I have done so many tests that I forgot, but I know this has not happened in the last two days when not using Zemanta in any form.

I will continue testing.

right now maybe Zemanta (WordPress.com & extension) could be part of the problem

Just to clarify - were you using this combination before, though, back when the problem first started? Or did you just install the Firefox extension recently? If so, then we'd probably need to rule out the Zemanta extension as the culprit. Thank you for continuing to test!

This is only day two or so of testing, so maybe this will eventually happen in Internet Explorer as well, but right now maybe Zemanta (WordPress.com & extension) could be part of the problem; I/we will see eventually I guess.

Thank you for the recommendation Raincoaster. :)

Now I can use Zemanta, while still troubleshooting this issue in another browser. ;)

I want to try it, but first I want to help troubleshoot what is causing the problem first; and then I could try that extension later I guess, and see if it also causes a problem. ;)

It will be hard not using Zemanta for that long, but I can go back later & use it on those posts. ;)

The problem is probably still there, but just happening less often.

I tried those three things before without luck I think (I know I tried with extensions disabled), but I will try them again.

Yes, I type directly, not copy & paste.

- turning off all your browser extensions
- trying a different browser than the one you normally use
- disabling Zemanta

Do you compose directly in the WordPress editing window (I believe you said you do, but I just want to double-check) or are you pasting text from another program? If so, what program?

Let me know how it goes.

"Proofreading

Automatically proofread content when:

a post or page is first published
a post or page is updated"

I had no idea that you had commented, for some strange reason sometimes I do not get email alerts when someone comments on a thread that I am subscribed to, I have no idea why this happens sometimes.

I will try disabling those things one-at-a-time and I will let you know what happens.

I really do appreciate it!

Yes, as I type I use the enter key after each sentence.

No, I have had that setting enabled probably almost since the beginning of when I started using WordPress.com.

Okay, I disabled that setting and I made a new post & test post today, but the quadruple spacing glitch happened again.

The only other thing that I can think to test is not using the Proofread Writing button and disabling these settings:

"Proofreading

Automatically proofread content when:

a post or page is first published
a post or page is updated

English Options

Enable proofreading for the following grammar and style rules when writing posts and pages:

Bias Language
Clichés
Complex Phrases
Diacritical Marks
Double Negatives
Hidden Verbs
Jargon
Passive Voice
Phrases to Avoid
Redundant Phrases

Learn more about these options.

Language

The proofreader supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Your blog language value is the default proofreading language.

Use automatically detected language to proofread posts and pages"

As you compose a post, you hit enter once after each sentence, correct? This workflow shouldn't introduce additional spacing for you - so you're right that this could be an issue.

Did you just enable the checkmark for correcting invalid XHTML, or has it been enabled all along? Would you care to try switching it up and writing a draft post to see if this does indeed solve your issue?

Cheers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-breaking_space

I wonder could this WordPress.com setting be part of the problem:

"Writing Settings
Formatting
WordPress should correct invalidly nested XHTML automatically "

I use the Enter key on my keyboard after every sentence, I like to space after each sentence to make my posts/text easier to read.

Normal Spacing:

http://www.use.com/showoriginal.pl?set=c4c3fda70f45202b157b&p=1

Quadruple Spacing (This post was a different post from the one above):

http://www.use.com/showoriginal.pl?set=c4c3fda70f45202b157b&p=2

http://www.use.com/showoriginal.pl?set=c4c3fda70f45202b157b&p=3

http://www.use.com/showoriginal.pl?set=c4c3fda70f45202b157b&p=4

When I type posts I go to the Dashboard | Posts | Add New, and I use Visual.

Here is a screenshot of a post (Text) that is not quadrupled spaced but was until I did my normal fix of Updating it one or more times until the spacing returns to normal:

http://www.use.com/images/s_2/c4c3fda70f45202b157b_1.jpg

Here are screenshots of a test post that is quadrupled spaced:

http://www.use.com/images/s_2/c4c3fda70f45202b157b_2.jpg?is=true&ps=true&rand=528676148178

http://www.use.com/images/s_2/c4c3fda70f45202b157b_3.jpg?is=true&ps=true&rand=2806080233

http://www.use.com/images/s_2/c4c3fda70f45202b157b_4.jpg?is=true&ps=true&rand=449659923466

You are welcome, no problem, it is my fault for not reporting it long ago. :D