How to Customize the Grammar Checker in Microsoft Word

The grammar check in Microsoft Word is a useful reference to double-check your grammar and highlight areas of your work needing more careful attention. However, it often underlines text that is either grammatically correct or while not technically correct is presented the way you want. You can avoid this by customizing the grammar check function to fit your needs.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Word and select "Options" from the "Tools" menu. From there, click on the "Spelling and Grammar" tab.

2. Click on the "Settings" button in the "Grammar" section to begin choosing your preferences.

3. Decide whether you want Microsoft Word to check for grammar only or grammar and style. Choose the option you want from the drop down menu at the top. You can independently edit the settings for both options and change back and forth between the 2 different checks at any time.

4. Look over the subjective grammar rules at the top of the window in the "Require" section. Choose either "Don't check," "Always" or "Never" depending on your personal grammatical preference. Choose "Don't check" to have Microsoft Word ignore the issue.

5. Check the boxes of all the areas or grammar or style you want Microsoft Word to check for. At any time, click the "Reset All" button at the bottom to reset all options to their original default settings. By default, all grammar options and no style options are checked in "Grammar Only" mode and all grammar and style options are checked in "Grammar and Style" mode except for "Use of first person."

6. Hit the "OK" button to apply your changes.