500 pages of punctuation questions

[anthorn]

Yeah. I noticed Microsoft word wanting to change my style on more than one occasion. It's why I don't use it. I prefer officeworld.

I would be hesitant about paying 500 quid out, as I am out of work at the moment, even though I am positive JJ is a brilliant editor.

 

[Jake Reynolds]

I tend to ignore Word's grammar check entirely. Though it may be accurate in an essay/report writing context, it is hardly suitable for fiction. I'd seriously recommend sorting this solo, for your own development if nothing else. If you can train yourself to pick up on these things as you type, it will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run if you intend to have a writing career.

 

[Ursa major]

True.

(For one thing, that spproach would have saved me from the embarrassment of posting text where its is misspelt as it's. )

 

[flickimp]

Post one chapter... it helped me tons last year with understanding my grammar, tense, punctuation...

 

[Mouse]

I keep reading this thread then forgetting to comment.

You can change the settings on Word's spell and grammar checker so that it only checks what you want it to. For example, I've set mine to check spelling errors, duplicated words and passive sentences only.

The other day when I was writing I realised I hadn't seen any green wiggly lines for ages and thought that my grammar checker must have somehow turned itself off, but when I looked it hadn't. I just hadn't written any passive sentences! Getting good, see.

But anyway, my point is you can go to 'style' I think it is, to change what you want grammar checker to check.

 

[Culhwch]

That's a handy tip, Mouse, especially regarding the passive sentences. One of my many weaknesses, they are...

 

[Mouse]

It does help, definitely. I can spot them myself now. Mostly. I leave the grammar check on in case I miss some!