The problem of "Was". Was cannot be avoided.

Bufty · Mar 19, 2018

If using Find-and-Replace in Word to check how many 'was's are there, be sure to select Find whole words only in the More - Options section, otherwise any word with 'was' in it will be targeted - - wasn't, wasp, waspish, waste, wasted, washed, unwashed...

Roxxsmom · Mar 20, 2018

Bufty said:
If using Find-and-Replace in Word to check how many 'was's are there, be sure to select Find whole words only in the More - Options section, otherwise any word with 'was' in it will be targeted - - wasn't, wasp, waspish, waste, wasted, washed, unwashed...

I discovered this the first time I did a find and replace word search to change a character's name. I subsequently found words throughout my manuscript that had had the character's new name inserted.

WriteMinded · Mar 22, 2018

I always type the word I'm going to replace with one space preceding it and one space following it. Then I do another with a period added. When it's a name I want to change I also use two searches, one in the possessive form and then there's the period. Nothing like making it difficult, huh?

Bufty · Mar 22, 2018

WriteMinded said:
I always type the word I'm going to replace with one space preceding it and one space following it. Then I do another with a period added. When it's a name I want to change I also use two searches, one in the possessive form and then there's the period. Nothing like making it difficult, huh?

That does sound a little tricky-Dicky sort of procedure. :Hug2:

Won't catch the word if it's followed by a punctuation mark other than a period. Still, if it works for you- that's the main thing.

Tazlima · Mar 22, 2018

Roxxsmom said:
I discovered this the first time I did a find and replace word search to change a character's name. I subsequently found words throughout my manuscript that had had the character's new name inserted.

Was the original name "Ed?"

blacbird · Mar 22, 2018

WriteMinded said:
I always type the word I'm going to replace with one space preceding it and one space following it. Then I do another with a period added. When it's a name I want to change I also use two searches, one in the possessive form and then there's the period. Nothing like making it difficult, huh?

Using the find "whole word" option eliminates the issue of punctuation marks entirely. If you are changing a name, also choose "Match case."

caw

The problem of "Was". Was cannot be avoided.

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Roxxsmom

Beastly Fido

WriteMinded

Derailed

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Tazlima

blacbird