In Microsoft Office the grammar and spelling checker often flags non-errors. It flags certain constructions that have "fooled" the software into detecting a possible error.
My grammar and spelling checker flagged a potential error in each item below. But don't be fooled! Each item is correct.
- I am wondering who they are and how to reach them.
Microsoft suggests changing who to whom, but the sentence requires the subject pronoun who. - Thank you for letting Michael know about the situation.
Microsoft suggests changing know to knows, which is obviously incorrect. - This magazine may give you ideas for decorating the kitchen.
Microsoft suggests replacing you with your–wrong! - Suzan says it is difficult to write about herself.
Microsoft suggests replacing herself with her, which changes the meaning. - Treasurer’s Report (as a heading)
Microsoft suggests replacing Treasurer's with "Treasurer is." - Kate, thank you for your help.
Microsoft flags this as a fragment, but it is a perfectly fine sentence. - Please look over your bid to see if there is anything you can do to lower the price.
Microsoft suggests a comma after anything–wrong! - Thanks, Bob!
Microsoft suggests deleting the comma, but the comma is required in direct address. - She earned a master’s degree in communication from the University of Notre Dame.
Microsoft wants to capitalize of–wrong! - The session will run from 1 to 5 p.m.
Microsoft wants to change 1 to one–wrong! - We need to know our guest's preferred dinnertime.
Microsoft suggests "guest has" rather than the possessive form guest's. - I have taught thousands of professionals at all organizational levels.
Microsoft suggests professional's and professionals'–both are wrong.
In many of the examples, you can tell why the software was fooled. For instance, "Michael know" would be wrong in most sentences, but not in the construction "Thank you for letting Michael know." The number 1 is often spelled out, but not with a.m. or p.m. Guest's can mean "guest has," but not in Item 11.
Before you accept a change your grammar and spelling checker suggests, be sure you understand it. In Microsoft Office, click "Explain" when your software offers that option, and see if the explanation makes sense. If you aren't sure whether your sentence is correct, try revising it in a way that makes sense to you.
Does your grammar and spelling checker find other non-errors? Please share them here.
Learn about our business writing courses, including Proofread Like a Pro and Punctuation for Professionals.
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