New Microsoft feature suggests PC alternatives to common words

 Kyalynn Moore-Wilson, a freshman, sits at a desk in her dorm room as she participates in a Zoom meeting for an 'Introduction to Psychology' course as classes begin amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the first day of the fall 2020 semester at the University of New Mexico on August 17, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - AUGUST 17: Kyalynn Moore-Wilson, a freshman, sits at a desk in her dorm room as she participates in a Zoom meeting for an 'Introduction to Psychology' course as classes begin amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the first day of the fall 2020 semester at the University of New Mexico on August 17, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo credit Sam Wasson/Getty Images

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in its latest version of Word that offers PC alternatives to phrases that could upset others and acts as a checker for inclusivity.

The additional feature will read through a user's work to determine if the language used may offend an individual.

Traditional features on Microsoft Word include checking software for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

The new feature highlights phrases that focus on gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity of socioeconomic status, according to The Sun.

Unlike a red line appearing under a typo, a purple line will appear beneath words or phrases that it deems potentially problematic. The feature can be turned off in Word's settings.

An example by Daily Mail showed a suggestion to changing the phrase "Postman Pat" to "mail carrier" or "postal worker."

Astronaut Neil Armstrong's famous phrase "one giant leap for mankind" would see a suggestion to change to "humankind" or “humanity."

It also suggests to change the term "maid" to "house cleaner."

Other examples of changes include: “headmaster” (Word suggests “principal”), “mistress” (“lover”), “master” (“expert”), “manpower” (“workforce”) and “heroine” (“hero”), per The Sun.

The new feature was included in the latest version of Office 365, the subscription service used by over 250 million people worldwide.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Sam Wasson/Getty Images