What I had my mind is that the author just concentrates on writing out the text logically (just as in the case of the quotes); this then provides the context which a style can process. Thus, one would simply write \begin{equation} 2+2=4 \end{equation}. % Note period here ^ The \end{equation} makes an one character lookahead, and processes it according to the style definition. (I think this would be possible with the "environments with hooks" I wrote some code for a long time ago.) Right, but period, comma, semicolon---where does that info come from? -- Phillip Helbig Email ......... [log in to unmask] Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories Tel. .... +44 1477 571 321 (ext. 297) Jodrell Bank Fax ................ +44 1477 571 618 Macclesfield Telex ................ 36149 JODREL G UK-Cheshire SK11 9DL Web ... http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/~pjh/ My opinions are not necessarily those of NRAL or the University of Manchester.