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Word flags contractions

Anonymous
2012-05-14T12:30:57+00:00

Hi All,

I must've changed something but for the life of me, i can't figure out how to undo whatever it is i did.

It seems that all of a sudden, Word is flagging all contractions (we're, shouldn't...) in my document with the infamous green wavy underlines. How can i make this unnecessary flag go away?

Thanks,

Sal

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2012-05-14T13:26:22+00:00

    Contractions are (or used to be) discouraged in formal academic writing, so this is a "style" issue. Go to Office Button | Word Options | Proofing. Under "When correcting spelling and grammar in Word," you have several options:

    • You can opt out of grammar checking entirely by clearing the check box for "Mark grammar errors as you type" and/or "Check grammar with spelling."
    • If you enable grammar checking but select Grammar Only, Word won't flag contractions.
    • But if you do want some style issues flagged, then click Settings... and, under Style, clear the check box for Contractions.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-28T13:52:50+00:00

    I know this is an older post, but here's a possibly nicer way (at least in 2007)

    I don't think you changed any settings, Sal.  I think a perfidious Windows Update to Office did this - the Microsoft employee who though of, coded, and/or approved this change should be drawn and quartered.  Well, that may be a little lenient - I've spend well over a year trying to track down a solution to this!  Why, oh why, can't these people (not just MS) leave a working product alone?

    But, I digress!  Follow Suzanne's directions into Proofing/Grammar & Spelling

    Instead of unchecking "Mark Grammar errors as you type";

    1. Click "Settings" next to Writing Style.
    2. UNCHECK "Contractions" in the list displayed
    3. Click "OK" to exit Settings
    4. Click "OK" to exit Word Options.

    The method Suzanne provided does work, but it turns off all checking while typing.  The method above just turns off checking for Contractions, but continues checking other grammar while you type.

    I have Office 2007.  I don't know if this method will work in 2010, 2013, or 365.

    Harry

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-28T14:20:05+00:00

    Hi Harry,

    Thanks for the response and no matter how old, I still appreciate new possibilities.

    However, I believe the very last sentence of Suzanne's said exactly what you're saying. If I'm missing the boat, let me know.

    Sal

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  3. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2012-05-14T23:52:29+00:00

    You're quite welcome. Thanks for marking my reply as the answer.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-05-14T13:59:13+00:00

    Thank you Ms Barnhill,

    Your response was spot on to solving my problem. At some point i must've wanted some "style" in my life and so change the "Grammar Only" to "Grammar & Style" and now, even though i want to keep the style, i followed your advice and simply turned off the "contractions" option.

    Thanks again,

    Sal

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