Spelling vs. Grammar Checker by Dr. Brian Blodgett

1. Quill and Musket Guest Lecturer Series Spelling vs. Grammar Checkerby Dr. Brian Blodgett

2. Spelling and Grammar • Almost everyone makes spellings mistakes and it is important for you to proofread and edit your paper. • Proofreading is more than “dotting I’s and crossing t’s” • Checking the paper for misspellings, errors in punctuation, agreement of subject and verb, and other common errors are important. • Most people overlook their own mistakes • Computers can aid you in your writing if you use the proper tools • Spell Checkers • Grammar Checkers

3. Spell Checker • A spell-checker is what most individuals use. • A spell checker is great for catching words that are incorrectly spelled. • They do not recognize if the word is the correct word, only if it is spelled correctly. • Using a spell checker, the following is correct. • Eye have a spelling checker; it came with my pea see. It plane lee Marx for my revue mistakes eye can knot sea. Iran this poem threw it, I’m sheer your please too no. Its let her perfect in it’s weigh; my check tolled me sew. Now win eye right, eye no I’m write from halo two good buy. Bee cause every buddy nose bye now computer dew know lye.

4. Spell Checker • As you can see, a spell checker is not perfect. • When there is a mistake, it underlines the word with a squiggly red line – a hint that you need to correct the spelling of the word. • An example is “corect” – see the squiggly red line? • When you correct the spelling, be certain that the word you want is the correct word. • Since the English language has a large number of words that sound the same but are spelled differently and mean very opposite things and can completely change the meaning of your sentence and leave the reader wondering what you are trying to say!

5. Grammar Checker • Correcting grammar is not as easy as correcting spelling mistakes. • The most common grammar issues are: • Passive voice • Split infinitives • Contractions • End-of-sentence prepositions • As in checking for spelling, computers can aid you in ensuring that your grammar is acceptable, but only if you know how to use a grammar checker.

6. Default Settings • Almost all word processing programs are defaulted to just check for spelling mistakes. • In order for you to ensure that your processor is set to detect grammatical errors, you must change the default settings. • The next several slides will show you how to change these settings in: • Microsoft Word 2007 & 2010 • Microsoft Word for Mac

7. Microsoft Office Word

8. Microsoft Word 2010 Settings • The first step is to change the Spelling and Grammar Preferences in the Review section.

9. Microsoft Word 2010 Settings • In Spelling and Grammar, the default is set to not check for grammatical mistakes.

10. Microsoft Word 2010 Settings • After selecting Check grammar, select Options.

11. Microsoft Word 2010 Settings • The default is “Grammar only”.

12. Microsoft Word 2010 Settings • Change it to Grammar & Style. Do not check the boxes.

13. Microsoft Word 2010 Settings • If this is on before you start type, it highlight mistakes automatically. I recommend always selecting Recheck Documentonce you are finished with the paper.

14. Microsoft Office Word for Mac

15. Microsoft Word for Mac Settings • The first step is to change the Spelling and Grammar Preferences.

16. Microsoft Word for Mac Settings • The default setting is Standard.

17. Microsoft Word for Mac Settings • Change it to Formal.

18. For Additional Information • For non-Mac users, visit the Microsoft site at: • http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290943 • For Mac users, visit the Microsoft site at: • http://www.microsoft.com/mac/get-started • For help with any other word processor, please visit their official site for assistance or use your search engine to find specific guidance.