, before the words, and or , but

[JupuitersStorm]

I’m new and cannot seem to find the answer I am looking for anywhere. I even got the, “Your conversation is similiar to…”

So here is my question. I am using writer, and I have many instances where the words, “and” or “but” do not have a comma before them.

I can go into Edit - Find and Replace - but when I change the word from “but” to “, but” it does not put the comma after the preceeding word but instead will have a space.

So for example; if I write the sentce, “I was going to go to the mall but I decided not to.” It should look like, “I was going to go to the mall, but I decided not to.” with the comma after the word mall.

Using the Edit - Find repalace however gives me this sentence, “I was going to go to the mall , but I decided not to.”

So the question is, is there a way to have the comma come after the previous word (mall without a space) and yet keep my spacing between the comma and the word but?

Thank you in advance.

[EarnestAl]

Given that not every but or and or other FANBOY (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet) will be preceded by a comma, then a decision has to be made on each instance. In your example you have an independent clause, “I was going to go to the mall" followed by a dependent clause, "but I decided not to.” so it does not take a preceding comma.

Because you need to make a decision on each find that means using Find and only clicking Replace if it is needed then you could search on: but (that is spacebut) and Replace with , but. But, of course, it might take a trailing comma as in this sentence.

[ajlittoz]

Works for me. So, either you have multiple spaces between your words, or some “compatibility” with M$O is enabled which adds a space. It is difficult to tell without OS name, LO version and save format. Additionally, since some form of “compatibility” may be involved, your detailed configuration in Tools>Options needs to be checked.

[JupuitersStorm]

I only used the sentence as an example of the spacing, not the punctuation, but I do thank you for your input. I’m just trying to eliminate the [space] , [space] but, and, or, etc.

Thank you again.

[JupuitersStorm]

I am currently using version 7.6.4.1 (X86_64

I am looking over Tools - Options now. I’ll let you know how it works out. Thank you.

[JupuitersStorm]

So I played around as it was suggested and went to Tools - Options and finall found this change to make.

Once I made the change to “Left Paragraph Margin”, all was fixed.

Thank you again for your help.

[LeroyG]

@JupuitersStorm

“but” to “, but” it does not put the comma after the preceeding word but instead will have a space

You must search for " but" (note the space) and replace with “, but”.