Checking for Gender-Specific Grammar

For certain types of writing it is not proper to use gender-specific words. For instance, the needs of your document may require you to use words such as police officer rather than policeman. If you want, you can have Word's grammar checker draw your attention to most gender-specific word uses. To enable this checking, follow these steps if you are using Word 2007:

1. Click the Office button and then click Word Options. Word displays the Word Options dialog box.
2. Click the Proofing option at the left side of the dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Click the Settings button. Word displays the Grammar Settings dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Scroll through the Grammar and Style Options list until you find the Style – Gender-specific Words option. Make sure it is checked.
5. Click on OK to close the Grammar Settings dialog box.
6. Click on OK to close the Word Options dialog box.

If you are using an older version of Word, follow these steps instead:

1. Choose Options from the Tools menu. Word displays the Options dialog box.
2. Make sure the Spelling & Grammar tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Click on the Settings button. Word displays the Grammar Settings dialog box.
4. Scroll through the Grammar and Style Options list until you find the Style – Gender-specific Words option. Make sure it is checked.
5. Click on OK to close the Grammar Settings dialog box.
6. Click on OK to close the Options dialog box.