# How to add blank space in proof environment without changing the position of the word “proof”?

I LaTeX my homework, and for one problem, I want only white space in the proof environment since I'll be hand-drawing a picture. when I type in

\begin{proof}
\vspace{1in}
\end{proof}


the outcome is

i.e., the word "proof" goes to the bottom. Is there any way to move the word back to the top?

Set something - a zero-width, empty box like \mbox{} - so that the proof title is set, and then issue your 1in vertical space:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsthm}
\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}

\begin{document}

\begin{theorem}
A regular theorem.
\end{theorem}

\begin{proof}
\mbox{}\par
\vspace{1in}
\end{proof}

\end{document}


The reason for the way it currently is displayed is because the proof environment is actually a list... actually a single-item list. These items are only set once you set the list entry. So, using \mbox{} acts like setting something and therefore prints the visible Proof..

• Possibly \vspace* and \nopagebreak after \par – egreg Mar 25 '17 at 11:20

I suggest using a minipage, so there will not be any possible page break points.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath,amsthm}

\newtheorem{theorem}{Theorem}

\newcommand{\pictureproof}[1]{%
% #1 = space to reserve
\par\noindent
\begin{minipage}[b]{\textwidth}
\begin{proof}\strut\vspace{#1}\par
\vspace{-\baselineskip}
\mbox{}
\end{proof}
\end{minipage}
}

\begin{document}

\lipsum[2]

\begin{theorem}
Something meaningful to fill the statement of a theorem
possibly taking two lines of text.
\end{theorem}

\pictureproof{1in}

\lipsum[3]

\begin{proof}
This is done just for showing the space after a proof.
\end{proof}

\lipsum[4]

\end{document}