diff --git a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/ExploreEffect.java b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/ExploreEffect.java
index b571a74d591..32846f429a6 100644
--- a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/ExploreEffect.java
+++ b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/ExploreEffect.java
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ public class ExploreEffect extends SpellAbilityEffect {
         }
 
         String explrs = TextUtil.join(tgtNames, ",");
-        String explrVerb = tgtNames.size() > 1 ? " explore." : " explores.";
+        String explrVerb = tgtNames.size() > 1 ? "explore." : "explores.";
 
-        return (explrs.isEmpty() ? host.getName() : explrs) + explrVerb;
+        return TextUtil.concatWithSpace(explrs.isEmpty() ? host.getName() : explrs, explrVerb);
     }
 
     /* (non-Javadoc)