In word-processors like Word or OpenOffice (LibreOffice), pressing the Ctrl I shortcut within a word will italicize the entire word and not just the character typing position.

Similarly with Ctrl B for bold, and Ctrl U for Underline.

Please add this feature, taking into punctuation into account so that “quotes,” and parentheses, are included in the current word.

It would be a great time-save to avoid selecting text every time. One would still have to make a selection if more than one word needed to be formatted.