PMX - staccato rests

[Howard Gilbert]

Hi,

Very often I find I want to write (accompanying) parts with staccato notes
alternating with rests. Is there a way to do something like:-

a o.: r a r | a r a r | a r a o: r / 

without getting staccatos under the rests?

Thanks &,
Best wishes,
Howard.
(Dr A.H.Gilbert, Thornaby-on-Tees, Nth Yorkshire.)