Using the Grammar Variable Editor

The Grammar Variable Editor is similar in appearance and function to the Condition Editor. This editor allows you to select the words to use as grammar variables and set the parameters for how they are to be applied in your correspondence.

When you enter content in a paragraph, the system recognizes words that are defined as potential grammar variables, which are pairs of associated words. Potential grammar variables are indicated with a dotted underline.

ClosedShow me an example.

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Example: Some potential grammar variables could be our/my, copies/copy, and returns/return. A smaller number of potential grammar variables apply to Organizer letters. See Managing Organizer Letters for more information.

Note: Potential grammar variables are not recognized in words that are all upper case.

In letter templates, only grammar variables within the paragraph content control can be set. Grammar variables cannot be set within the free flow text content control.

Each grammar variable has one or more alternate pairs of grammar options and each pair displays as one item in a menu in the Word pane. Right-click a potential grammar variable and select Additional Actions from the menu to set the grammar option. If a grammar variable has more than one pair of options associated with it, all choices display in the Closedmenu.

 

Setting Grammar Variables

The Grammar Variable Condition Editor allows you to define the parameters by which a grammar variable is converted to text in rendered letters. For example, you can set a condition to convert the is/are grammar variable to are in a return that includes multiple taxing authorities.

To set grammar variables, do the following:

  1. Select to edit a paragraph in the Paragraph Library or in a letter template.
  2. In the Word pane, do one of the following:
    1. Locate an existing potential grammar variable, indicated by a dotted underline in black font. Grammar variables that have already been set display in green font.
    2. Enter new text that the system recognizes as a potential grammar variable.
  3. Right-click a potential grammar variable and select Additional Actions from the menu.
  4. Note: If the Additional Actions option is not listed in the menu, in Microsoft® Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, and enable the Grammar Variable action.

  5. Select a Set as Grammar Variable option from the menu. If a word has more than one pair of options, all choices display. The Grammar Variable Editor displays.
  6. The paragraph displays in the area above the Condition Builder grid with the selected grammar variable shown in green font. If the paragraph contains other potential grammar variables, only the selected grammar variable displays in green font. Grammar variables must be selected individually from the smart tag to be edited or set.

  7. Begin by dragging a keyword or form from the left navigation panel to the Condition Builder grid. Click the and up and down arrows to expand and collapse sections on the navigation panel.
  8. ClosedExplain the components in the left pane.

  1. In the Keywords section, enter a partial or full name in the box provided, and then click. A list of similar keywords displays.
  2. Select a keyword from the list.
  3. In the Forms section, select a tax authority from the list.
  1. Set the expression for the condition using the operators and commands. You can also right-click a desired element and select to cut, copy, and paste.
  2. ClosedExplain the components in the right pane.

  3. Select to mark the condition as a default that can be reused, if needed.
  4. Click Save to save your changes. When you save your changes, the Cancel button changes to Close.
  5. Click Close to return to the Correspondence Manager window. The content set as grammar variables displays in green font.
  6. Save the paragraph or letter template.

Important:

  • If the specified condition is false, the alternative word for each grammar variable is substituted when the paragraph is generated in a return.
  • Condition Builder does not set system-defined variables.
  • A selected grammar variable and condition are saved only when the paragraph or letter template is saved.
  • If the Use "I" in all Letters option is selected for correspondence in the return configuration set, the singular grammar variables I, me, and my are set automatically and are not flagged as potential grammar variables in letter templates.

Clearing Grammar Variables

Right-click a grammar variable and select Additional Actions > Clear as Grammar Variable.

Editing and Copying Grammar Variables

The following logic is used when editing grammar variables:

  • Right-click a grammar variable and select Additional Actions > Edit Condition.
  • If a paragraph is edited and a grammar variable is changed or deleted, the grammar variable settings are removed.
  • If a grammar variable with a set condition is copied to another location in the paragraph or inside another paragraph, the grammar variable content control and the condition are retained. 
  • If the grammar variable is copied to another location outside the paragraph and inside free flow text, it will be pasted as normal text without the grammar variable content control or associated smart tag.
  • If the whole paragraph is copied, the paragraph conditions as well as the grammar variable conditions are copied.

ClosedExplain a grammar variable condition.

The following example explains the condition for the grammar variable are that is found in a lead paragraph for the 1040 Individual Cover Letter.

  • Paragraph. Enclosed are the original and one copy of your [Current Year] income tax returns and [Next Year] estimated tax vouchers, as follows...
  • Keyword Used in Condition. The keyword used in the condition for this grammar variable is in the Miscellaneous > Federal > Main Form > Fed Only Flag category in the Keyword Library
  • Condition Statement. kwd["Miscellaneous"."Federal"."Main Form"."Fed Only Flag"] <> "X"
  • Condition Evaluation. This keyword value is set to not equal "X," indicating federal and at least one state are present in the return. For this condition, when the value is not equal to "X" and the condition is evaluated as true, then "are" would be used in the paragraph. When this keyword is set equal to "X," this indicates only federal is present in the return. If the keyword value is equal to "X," the condition is false and "is" would be used in the paragraph.