Punctuation in Word

Been doing some documents and had someone proof read them for me. Punctuation was never my strong suit, but I seem to have lost whatever I did have over the years. I changed some things in the options for grammar but have not found anything to help with punctuation. Any ideas?

Now granted Word has some unique ideas about what words you want when you misspell something or even spell it right, so hopefully it doesn't do that, but at least it would indicate punctuation was needed.

Holly,

Check this out and see if it might help. I haven't looked at it very closely.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/select-grammar-and-writing-style-options-HP010147712.aspx

Fay


I just went and took a quick look. Wasn't quite as easy to find as they show. If you have word 7 and have problems let me know. From what I see, I doubt it will get you what you want. Looks like it does not give many options on punctuation checking.
If you choose Gramar and style instead of just grammar: there is an option for Punctuation - stylistic suggestions. Not sure what that does. Mabye there is something there that might help.

Ya, have played with some of what they have talked about. Mostly the punctuation it flags is punctuation inside quotes and commas that should be semi-colons and commas in lists Not much help there. I do one of two things with commas--overkill or none. Was hoping to have it flag when I do either wrong.

I suppose I could relearn my punctuation rules, but when something will do it for you... LOL

Thanks for the link, Fay. Will keep my proof reader. She gets the whole punctuation thing.

Holly,

Maybe Repa has some ideas.

I have forgotten all that too.

Fay

An English grammar book at Barnes & Noble or if it isn't too long I'd take a look at whatever document you have questions about.

SO no MS Magic? I am so disappointed. SO far my proof reader/BETA is doing well. She is teaching me as we go. What is getting proof read I won't burden you with Repa. It is fiction and nah, you wouldn't enjoy it. But thanks Faye, and Repa.

I really didn't have time to look for anything on the net yesterday, and don't today either, but if you google "punctuation rules" a lot of good links come up with lists of rules and a few automated checkers. For "free online punctuation checker", google what I just put in quotes. Several come up but I don't have time to check them for how good they are right now. A niece is getting married today and I have a busy week ahead of me. Good Luck!

P.S.

Here's a rule that many are unaware of:

There is the cat that I saw yesterday.
There is the cat, which I saw yesterday.

The book that is on the shelf was written by Josh McDowell.
The book, which is on the shelf, was written by Josh McDowell.

The first sentence in the 2 pairs above is the correct one to use. The second sentence uses "which" instead of "that", which you see a lot of people using today. If you decide to use "which" after a subject as above, then precede "which" by a comma, as in the second sentences.

Thank you. No time right now either but will report back with what I find. Thank you!!