Last Updated on September 4, 2024
Have you ever thought that your word processor’s spell check function was working against you? It’s great when it corrects some silly misspellings you make, but sometimes it confuses you.
You’re absolutely certain you need to use professors in the particular sentence, but the tool underlines that word as a problem and suggest professor’s as the solution. Suddenly, you start to doubt: maybe professors doesn’t work in this construction?
Wait a minute! We need to understand that Spell Check is just an automated tool after all. It’s not omnipotent. Sometimes it makes the wrong suggestions, and it misses the parts of your content that are really problematic. Is there any way to fix that?
Try these 10 tools that can save you from a spell check problem.
1. Byword 2
This is a pretty cool text editing tool for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It’s efficient in the writing process because you can use keyboard shortcuts that will speed up the writing process. That will save you from making mistakes when writing tricky words, such as through, thorough, though, and so on.
2. After the Deadline
The first function of this tool is to locate all flaws in your spelling, grammar, and style. It doesn’t stop there, though. It also tells you why the corrections are being suggested. As you continue using it, you’ll understand your grammar and spelling weaknesses, and you’ll start making fewer mistakes. The most notable feature of the tool is the style suggestion function, which you don’t usually get with automated software.
3. ProWritingAid
This is another automated tool that underlines the problematic parts in your text. What makes it different from the above-listed options? It also helps you to improve the readability of your content. With the free version, you get 19 detailed reports of max 3000 words, and you can only use it online.
If you upgrade (the Premium version costs $40 and Premium Plus costs $45 per year), you’ll get access to the interactive editing option, and you’ll be able to use the tool with MS Word and Google Docs. You’ll also get more reports and no word limit if you upgrade. Premium Plus comes with 50 plagiarism checks within one year.
4. AussiEssay
There is one main problem with automated editing tools: they are not human. They can’t sense the style problems the way a real editor can. If you need your work to be taken to a whole other level of quality, then you’ll appreciate the help of a professional editor. Don’t worry; hiring an editor won’t cost you a fortune if you rely on AussiEssay.
This service connects you with a pro editor who’s experienced with the type of content you’re working on. The editor will fix all grammatical, spelling, punctuation, style, and logical errors, but they will still maintain your unique voice and manner of expression. As a result, you’ll get a polished-out content that’s ready for publication or submission.
5. SmartEdit
The fact that you need to download and install this tool to your computer may be a drawback. However, the software is very effective and you should definitely give the trial version a chance. You can use it inside MS Word or as a standalone tool.
SmartEdit checks your content for 20 different flaws, including repetitiveness, adverb usage, misused words, misspellings, cliches, dialogue tags, redundancies, and more. The best part is that it also checks your sentence structure and highlights the common phrases you start your sentences with. Although it’s not a ‘real’ editor, it’s a pretty nice addition to MS Word.
6. Hemingway App
The main flaw of spell check is its lack of control over sentence structure. It marks sentences that shouldn’t be marked, but it doesn’t warn you about too complex structures that need some editing. For that purpose, you have Hemingway App – the online tool that’s trying to bring writers closer to Hemingway’s writing style.
This writer was known for his simple, powerful sentences that haunted the readers for a long time. Follow the recommendations of the tool to achieve a similar effect. Well, maybe you won’t become the next Hemingway, but at least you’ll make your content more readable.
7. AutoCrit
This tool has been tailored to suit the needs of fiction writers. It’s a manuscript editing tool that focuses on the aspects of word choice, dialogue, pacing and momentum, strong writing, and repetition. It warns you about adverbs, clichés, fillers, and passive voice. It’s almost like having an actual editor by your side.
With the cheapest version, which costs $5 per month, you can analyze up to 1,000 words at a time, without limitation of the number of reports you want to get. The Platinum version lets you analyze up to 8,000 at a time, and the Professional version ($12 per month) doesn’t have a word limitation.
8. Cliche Finder
It doesn’t matter what type of content you’re writing; clichés are the last thing you want in it. This is a simple tool that will identify the boring phrases in your work, so you can think about getting rid of them.
9. EditMinion
This tool identifies the most common weaknesses in writers’ work: overuse of the word said, homonyms, prepositions, passive voice, adverbs, weak words, clichés, and more. That’s something you don’t get from your usual word processor.
Although EditMinion is just a robotic copy editor, it’s still very effective in making you aware of the common mistakes you make.
10. WordRake
This tool is all about getting straight to the point. It will get rid of all unnecessary words or phrases that make your writing heavy and unreadable. WordRake works with MS Word and Outlook. The point is to help you get rid of the excessive words in your text, so you’ll easily grab and hold the reader’s attention. As a result, you’ll start using fewer words to make a stronger impression.
11. Virtual Writing Tutor
Virtual Writing Tutor is intended for people trying to learn English. Grammar checkers can be great tools for non-native English speakers, because they’re smart enough to detect many common grammatical errors. The Virtual Writing Tutor grammar checker was written with non-native English speakers in mind. It is taught to pick up on common errors that second language learners are likely to make.
This tool was intended to be used as a substitute for teachers or proofreaders. It can be very expensive to hire an English teacher if you’re learning a second language. Using the Virtual Writing Tutor could potentially provide you with the same experience, and the best part is that it’s free. Furthermore, unlike English teachers, the Virtual Writing Tutor gives you feedback right away, 24/7.
12. Ginger Grammar Checker
The Ginger Grammar Checker is a good choice for users who wish to do grammar checking offline. This grammar checker boasts that it can catch the same mistakes that a human reader would. Grammar checking content is easy, and you can do it with a single click. Some rules that the Ginger Grammar Checker explores include subject-verb agreement, singular or plural nouns, consecutive nouns, and misused words. For example, if you typed ‘wandering’ instead of ‘wondering,’ Ginger Grammar Checker will find the correct word for you.
This grammar checker is appropriate for use by anyone. It can be used for proofreading patents, academic papers, or even presentations. Its robust software will surely make your paper more presentable.
13. WebSpellChecker.net
The services of WebSpellChecker.net were previously hosted at SpellChecker.net, so if you’re familiar with the latter, the former contains the same services. This grammar-checking tool isn’t like the previous tools mentioned above. WebSpellChecker.net offers spell-checking systems that can be implemented on any webpage. So, if you want users to be able to enjoy grammar-checking while posting content on your website, you can use this tool to give them that capability. The best part about this tool is that it’s easy to install, responsive, and flexible.
14. Spellchecker.net
Spellchecker.net – last but not least. It’s already mentioned in the previous section, but I decided to give a few personal comments for this excellent tool. Under the hood it has the same engine as Webspellchecker but it’s a free of charge. Spellchecker doesn’t just correct grammar, it also provides suggestions from the dictionary. And as you probably guessed from the name, it has a spell checking service in addition to grammar check that is also absolutely free.
The potential users are likely: students, copywriters, bloggers, and anyone who wants to improve their writing but can’t afford paid solution or just doesn’t want to pay when you have an app that does the same thing for free.
Conclusion
The main thing to remember is that you can’t completely rely on the word processor’s spell check function. With so many tools that can improve your effectiveness during the editing stage, it would be a shame not to try at least few of them. Choose your favorite ones from the list above and tell us what you think.