Why would we need to find the best grammar checker? Whether we communicate through ‘standard,’ printed word, or currently predominating online one, we all need to have our texts be without grammar or spelling mistakes. This is particularly true of writers in all shapes or forms, whether they are writing fiction or something very specific, like commercial scripts.
Using a grammar checker does not only make the job of writing easier for the writer who did it but for all involved in the writing process. It could be the editor handling the text after the writer, a proofreader, up to the person reading the final version of the text or a book.
As one of the online writing instructors points out, a well-made grammar checker “is a useful writing tool for writers, bloggers, essayists, business people and anyone who communicates with the written word.”
But, such a helpful tool goes beyond the standard grammar and spell checkers included in widely available applications like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. These tools are currently so advanced, that there are writing tools directed only at checking punctuation. More sophisticated grammar checkers perform detailed grammar and spelling checks and give specific correction suggestions. Essentially, a good grammar checker should help every writer with at least the following:
– Common spelling errors;
– Instances of the passive voice;
– Clunky and hard to understand language;
– Other common grammar errors like misplaced apostrophes, a misused word, or incorrect punctuation (above source).
But picking the right grammar checker tool is not such an easy task. Some tools are more suited for a fiction writer, others for say a legal or a technical writer. Here we present you with a selected guide of tools that could cover most of your writing needs.
Grammarly is possibly the easiest grammar checker in use
Grammarly is an American-based technology company that provides a digital writing assistance tool based on artificial intelligence and natural language processing. It is probably the grammar and spelling tool that most general users go for.
One of the reasons is its availability on all computer platforms. The other, a more important one, is its ease of use.
“You can use the Grammarly tool to proofread and check for grammatical errors and spelling errors in social media updates, emails, blog posts, articles, and even early drafts of book chapters” (above).
According to another checker guide, you can use the Grammarly tool to proofread and check for grammatical errors and spelling errors in social media updates, emails, blog posts, articles, and even early drafts of book chapters.
The free grammar checker version of Grammarly is ideal if you’re a writer on a tight budget. You can install a plugin for your browser and use Grammarly free to check your emails, social media updates, and anything you write online for errors.
Grammarly Premium is the paid version that checks spelling and grammar, and punctuation. It is useful if you want to improve your knowledge of English grammar as it provides more writing insights and the reasons behind common grammar mistakes.
Apart from grammar checks, the Grammarly Premium version:
- Checks for readability;
- Corrects run-on sentences;
- Gives you suggestions to enhance vocabulary and sentence structure;
- Detects missing citations (Become a writer today, above).
Grammarly comes in three versions – free, premium and business plan. The Free grammar checker plan covers all the basics including grammar mistakes, spelling, and punctuation, along with a tone detector. The tone detector analyzes your word choice and phrasing to identify the tone of your message before you hit send.
The premium and business versions have additional enhancements geared at professionals.
ProWritingAid is a premium checker oriented mainly at bloggers
ProWritingAid comes with standard features that check for grammar and spelling mistakes, fix punctuation, and optimize word choice. But this tool also provides detailed reports to help you improve your writing skills. It also integrates with Google Docs, Microsoft Word, MS Outlook, as well as most web browsers.
A Desktop App is available for Windows and Mac. Users can also upload their documents to the platform’s web-based editor.
In addition, this platform offers in-app explanations, suggestions, quizzes, videos, and articles to help you build your writing skills in real-time.
Here is a list of ProWritingAid’s key features:
- Spelling and grammar check software;
- Mac and Windows support;
- Checks for consistencies in spelling, hyphenation, and capitalization;
- Third-party integration and browser extensions are available.
- More writing reports than any other tool;
- Suggestions that improve words power and clarity;
- Checks for plagiarism.
As is the case with Grammarly, ProWritingAid comes in three versions, free, premium, and premium plus.
The free version gives you access to a web-based grammar checker of up to 500 words, as well as a basic browser extension that checks grammar and spelling online.
The Premium version package allows you to check documents of any size via a desktop app or Google Doc, Microsoft Word, and Scrivener integrations with in-depth reports.
A “Premium Plus” version includes all of the same features as the Premium version, as well as 60 plagiarism checks per year.
The only downsides some reviewers list are that it is not the fastest checker around and the fact that it is more oriented to native English speakers.
WhiteSmoke – another grammar checker in wide use
According to First Site Guide (above), WhiteSmoke is a grammar checker and proofreading software that corrects not only simple spelling mistakes, but everything from word choice, grammar corrector, punctuation, and even style mistakes.
WhiteSmoke also has a translator and dictionary for more than 50 languages. It also has over 100 built-in templates, as well as video tutorials, error explanations, and a plagiarism checker. Its products are based on NLP (Natural Language Processing) technology, featuring unique algorithms and AI for text analysis. The tool offers a mobile app for Android and iOS and also works with Windows, Mac OS, and all web browsers.
In brief, its key features include:
- AI technology and natural language processing techniques.
- Expert grammar correction and punctuation checker services.
- Editing for correction of sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling errors.
- Anti-plagiarism tool + Thesaurus.
- Translation services to 55 languages.
- Simple clutter-free user interface.
Among the pros of WhiteSmoke, reviewers say that it is accurate and relatively easy to use. Also that it is suitable for businesses and is one of the more affordable solutions, even though it is payable on a yearly basis.
One downside reviewers mention is that there is no free plan available. The others are that its interface is not as modern as some other checkers and that it is on a slower side. The latter might be due to the fact that it has such extensive features.
You have to pay for all three versions of WhiteSmote – web plan, premium plan, and business plan.
The Web plan works with all browsers and features a grammar checker, translator, and plagiarism checker. It features an online writing solution for any operating system. The Premium version features a fully integrated writing solution for Windows and Mac and includes a one-computer license.
Ginger – a good solution for proofreaders
Ginger checker is a creation of an Israeli startup company as far back as 2007. On top of standard editing tools, Ginger also offers a series of additional features including a text reader, sentence rephraser, dictionary, a translator with over 50 languages, and a personal trainer feature to help you improve your English.
You can download Ginger directly into Google Chrome or Safari and it works with programs like Outlook, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint. In addition, Ginger has a desktop app that can be installed on both Mac and Windows, as well as an app for both Android and iOS.
Its key features include:
- It is a proven software for spelling and grammar error checks.
- Excels at proofreading your text as you type.
- Rephrases sentences to improve style.
- Third-party integration and browser extensions are available.
- Translations in over 60 languages.
- Personalized practice sessions based on your own writing.
One of the reasons it works well for proofreaders lies in the fact that is one of the fastest checkers on the market. Among its more positive features reviewers list the fact that its free version has a very powerful grammar checker. Also, it is one of the more useful checkers for non-native speakers, and its personal dictionary is a quite useful feature.
On the negative side, Ginger can have some accuracy issues depending on the formatting of a document.
The free version is available for users with limited features and up to a certain limit for grammar checks. Ginger may limit the number of corrections to which you are entitled in a certain period of time (e.g. up to 50 corrections per month). The Premium plan comes with all the free features plus translations into more than 50 languages, text reader, sentence rephraser, and more.
Other possible best grammar checker solutions
The grammar checker market seems to be quite saturated these days. Along with those we presented in-depth, there is quite a number of other possibilities that might satisfy specific personal needs. Some of those solutions are available for free. But these free solutions, are more oriented to general users than to writers who need to use specific writing styles.
Briefly, here are some of the other possible best grammar checker solutions:
- After The Deadline – very useful for users that publish their work through WordPress.
- LanguageTool – An open-source tool that you can download for offline use. It can also check grammar in quite a number of languages.
- Outwrite – AI-powered tool that also does powerful plagiarism checking.
- PaperRater – A web app that is quite useful for high school and college students.
- Hemingway App – Assesses the overall readability of your text and helps you to improve your writing style.
