One tells me she does have Reader XI.! Anyway it seems I have discovered that it should be possible, and that it isn't. One final question. Would the software used to create the pdf make any difference? I use the printer option that comes up that offers 'PDF CReator' and that automatically converts the word to PDF, and saves it as a PDF. When I then open it in Reader it offers all the options on commenting etc.
Thank you very much for all your help.