Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Word 2016 from Flagging Contractions as Grammar Errors

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

Microsoft Word 2016 constantly highlights common English contractions as grammar mistakes and suggests expanded forms, even after attempting to ignore the warnings.

How to Stop Word 2016 from Flagging Contractions as Grammar Errors

Product: Microsoft Word 2016
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Writing English documents with standard contractions (e.g., I'm, don't, can't), especially on systems with mixed language packs like French and English.
Observed behavior: Word marks contractions as grammatical errors. Selecting 'Ignore' only dismisses the current instance, and the warnings continue to appear throughout the document.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved your document and selected all the text before adjusting the language settings, so that any changes apply to the entire file.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Grammar and Writing Style Settings

Modify Word's grammar checker preferences to stop enforcing strictly formal language that prohibits the use of contractions.

Word's grammar checker includes specific stylistic rules. If the writing style is set to highly formal, it will systematically flag contractions as errors. Disabling this specific rule stops the persistent warnings.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Access Proofing Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Proofing' in the left-hand navigation pane.

Modify Writing Style

Scroll down to the 'When correcting spelling and grammar in Word' section. Next to the 'Writing Style' dropdown, click the 'Settings' button.

Disable Contractions Rule

Scroll through the list of grammar rules to find the 'Formal Language' or 'Clarity' section. Uncheck the box next to 'Contractions', then click 'OK' to save your changes.

Adjust Grammar and Writing Style Settings

Settings Applied: Word will now allow common contractions without highlighting them as grammatical errors.

Solution 2

Set the Correct Proofing Language

Fix mixed language pack conflicts by explicitly defining the document's proofing language and disabling automatic language detection.

Solution 3

Repair the Microsoft Office Installation

Run the built-in Windows repair tool for Office if settings adjustments fail to resolve persistent grammar checking glitches.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Write Without Interruptions Using WPS Office

If Microsoft Word's grammar checker remains overly restrictive or glitchy across multiple languages, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with a smart built-in spell checker that respects standard English writing, without throwing unnecessary errors.

1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for Windows.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to continue writing seamlessly with accurate proofing.

Seamlessly opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Word (.docx) documents.Intelligent spell check that accurately recognizes English contractions.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on older devices.Clean, familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word consider standard contractions a grammar error?

Word checks grammar based on predefined stylistic rules. If the 'Formal Language' writing style is enabled in your Proofing Options, Word assumes the document requires a highly professional tone and flags contractions like 'don't' or 'can't', encouraging expanded forms like 'do not' or 'cannot'.

How do I stop Word from automatically switching proofing languages?

You can prevent this by selecting all your text, going to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, and unchecking the 'Detect language automatically' option. This forces Word to strictly use the language you manually select.

Does clicking 'Ignore All' permanently fix the grammar warning?

No. In Microsoft Word, 'Ignore All' generally applies to specific spelling instances within the current editing session. Grammar rules will continue to trigger on similar phrases across the document unless the specific rule is disabled in the Proofing settings.

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