Grammar auto correct function

[Jasmin]

The auto correct function of MS Word has poor grammar correction detection.
For example, Word does not correct the misuse of the word "comprise." Below
is the definition of the word "comprise," per Merriam-Webster. Please
consider revising Word's grammatical rules.

Pronunciation: k&m-'prIz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): com·prised; com·pris·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French compris, past participle of
comprendre, from Latin comprehendere
1 : to include especially within a particular scope <civilization as Lenin
used the term would then certainly have comprised the changes that are now
associated in our minds with "developed" rather than "developing" states --
Times Literary Supplement>
2 : to be made up of <a vast installation, comprising fifty buildings --
Jane Jacobs>
3 : COMPOSE, CONSTITUTE <a misconception as to what comprises a literary
generation -- William Styron> <about 8 percent of our military forces are
comprised of women -- Jimmy Carter>
usage Although it has been in use since the late 18th century, sense 3 is
still attacked as wrong. Why it has been singled out is not clear, but until
comparatively recent times it was found chiefly in scientific or technical
writing rather than belles lettres. Our current evidence shows a slight shift
in usage: sense 3 is somewhat more frequent in recent literary use than the
earlier senses. You should be aware, however, that if you use sense 3 you may
be subject to criticism for doing so, and you may want to choose a safer
synonym such as compose or make up.

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http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...2ee855&dg=microsoft.public.word.docmanagement

 

[CyberTaz]

The AutoCorrect function of Word doesn't have *any* grammar correcton
detection - it corrects common spelling errors & typos and provides other
'conveniences' on the fly. Grammar checking is a completely separate
feature.

 

[Jasmin]

Agreed. I am referring to the spelling and grammar check function (i.e. F7).
I understand that there is no grammar correction, per se, as you mention.
The grammatical misuse of the word "comprise" *is* common, however. This
misuse should be flagged as a potential grammatical error via the green
serrated underscore used to flag other grammatical errors.

 

[Jay Freedman]

It's a nice idea, but I don't think the grammar checking engine is smart
enough to be able to tell whether the intended meaning is "comprise" or
"compose". They're the same part of speech; the engine would have to know
which part of the sentence represents the "whole" and which part represents
the "components". Heck, a lot of people aren't that smart! One of
Microsoft's considerations is to avoid an unnecessarily large number of
"false positive" identifications.

Even the dictionary you cited acknowledged that the supposedly wrong usage
has a long literary history, and that opinion seems to be swinging back the
other way. Much as it pains me to say it -- my early training included the
inflexible distinction between the two -- maybe this one should be left
unremarked.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
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