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How to Stop Grammar Underlining in Word for Mac
Question details
Users experience persistent blue grammar underlines in Word for Mac while typing, even after the general 'Check grammar as you type' option has been cleared.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Typing or editing a document where real-time grammar checks and blue underlines are unwanted.
- Observed behavior
- Word for Mac continues to display blue grammar underlines. The general grammar-checking toggle fails to fully disable real-time highlighting.
Ensure you have saved your current document, as you may need to completely restart Microsoft Word for Mac for the updated grammar settings to take effect.
Clear Specific Grammar and Style Options
Since the general 'Check grammar as you type' option can sometimes be unreliable on Mac, clearing specific grammar and style rules will force Word to stop the blue underlining.
In some versions of Word for Mac, toggling off the main grammar check preference does not stop real-time blue underlines. To resolve this, you must dive deeper into the grammar settings and disable the individual rules manually.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Preferences'.
In the Preferences window, click on the 'Spelling & Grammar' icon located under the Authoring and Proofing Tools section.
Locate the 'Grammar' section and click the 'Settings...' button next to the writing style dropdown.
Scroll through the list and uncheck all the specific grammar and style rules you do not want Word to monitor, then click 'OK'.
Close the preferences window and completely restart Microsoft Word for Mac to ensure the changes are applied.
Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Writing Experience on Mac
If Microsoft Word's grammar checker remains intrusive and disrupts your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative for Mac with reliable spell-check controls.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for Mac from the official website or the Mac App Store.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file seamlessly.
- 3. Manage Spell Check Easily: Navigate to the Review tab to reliably toggle the spell check feature on or off as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word for Mac still underline words after I turned off 'Check grammar as you type'?
This is a known reliability issue in some versions of Word for Mac. The general toggle may not fully disable the feature. You must go into the specific Grammar Settings and uncheck the individual grammar and style rules to stop the blue underlines.
How do I turn off the red spelling underlines in Word for Mac?
Go to Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar. Under the 'Spelling' section, uncheck the 'Check spelling as you type' option.
Does disabling grammar check also turn off spell check?
No, spelling and grammar checks are controlled independently. Disabling grammar checks will remove the blue underlines, but real-time spelling checks (red underlines) will continue unless you disable them separately.
Will grammar issues still show up in the Editor pane?
Yes. Even if you disable the blue underlines while typing, manually running a Spelling & Grammar review will still use the Editor pane to identify potential issues.
