Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word Spell Check Flagging Correct Words

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 28, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to stop the word processor from marking correctly spelled words and valid sentences as spelling or grammar errors.

How to Fix Word Spell Check Flagging Correct Words

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Proofreading a document using regional language variations like English (United Kingdom).
Observed behavior: Word incorrectly flags words like "lad" as misspellings and misinterprets the grammar of sentences due to missing punctuation, marking correct words like "there" as errors.

Before you start

Ensure that your document's text is not set to a different language by mistake, and verify that your Word application has the latest proofing tools installed.

Solution 1Recommended

Correct Sentence Punctuation and Update Custom Dictionary

Use this method to resolve false grammar flags caused by missing punctuation and to teach the application to recognize specific regional terms.

Grammar checking algorithms often misinterpret sentence structures if proper punctuation, such as commas before vocatives, is missing. Adding the correct punctuation often resolves the grammar flag. For correctly spelled words that the default dictionary doesn't recognize, manually adding them to the custom dictionary prevents future errors.

Add missing punctuation

Review the flagged sentence for missing punctuation. For example, add a comma before a vocative address (e.g., change 'Pecans over there lad' to 'Pecans over there, lad.').

Right-click the flagged word

If a grammatically correct word is still underlined in red (like 'lad'), right-click on the word to open the context menu.

Add to Dictionary

Select 'Add to Dictionary' or 'Spelling > Add to Dictionary' from the menu. Word will now recognize this term as correct in all future documents.

Correct Sentence Punctuation and Update Custom Dictionary

Tip: You can always manage your custom dictionary later via File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.

Solution 2

Verify Language and Proofing Settings

Apply this solution to ensure the spell checker uses the correct regional dictionary, such as English (United Kingdom), instead of defaulting to US English.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free suite for your Windows, Mac, or Linux device.
2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document without losing any formatting.
3. Configure Spell Check: Go to the Review tab, select Spell Check, and easily set your proofing language or add terms to your custom dictionary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word highlight correctly spelled words in red?

Word highlights words in red when they are not found in its active dictionary. This can occur if the wrong proofing language is applied to the text, or if the word is a regional term, slang, or specialized jargon not included in the default Microsoft dictionary.

How do I stop Word from changing my words automatically?

To disable automatic corrections, navigate to File > Options > Proofing and click on 'AutoCorrect Options'. In the AutoCorrect tab, uncheck the box next to 'Replace text as you type'.

Can I remove a word that I accidentally added to my custom dictionary?

Yes. Go to File > Options > Proofing and click 'Custom Dictionaries'. Select your default dictionary (usually CUSTOM.DIC), click 'Edit Word List', select the mistakenly added word, and click 'Delete'.

Why does Word's grammar checker flag 'there' in my sentence?

The grammar engine attempts to parse the sentence structure based on punctuation. If a necessary comma is missing (such as before a direct address or vocative), the engine misidentifies the parts of speech, incorrectly flagging valid words like 'there' as grammatically incorrect.

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