Grammar tools are a help or a hindrance. Recently, I left Grammarly. At least for a while. Our breakup occurred when Grammarly developed a mind of its own, sort of like Hal in 2001: Space Odyssey. Repeatedly, it offered me grammar choices that made no sense. He or she (I cannot decide) keeps shifting the grammar rules and insists that he or she is right.
I guess Artificial Intelligence has its drawbacks, but it is sort of creepy. Then in an attempt to get another grammar extension, I added LanguageTool. I liked LanguageTool, but then I went to a website that insisted I use Grammarly. Sigh.
Feeling a bit peeved, I turned them both on. And, what would you know? Now they argue with each other over grammar rules… I am so done with this.
So, in some sort of salvation to this grammar thing, I decided to look up some new alternatives to share with everyone.
I need a grammar checker. I know I do. Because I constantly fly through my words, completely disregarding all of those extra commas. Then there are my typos. Plus, even if the grammar extensions argue with each other, at least you get to make the best decision.
Why use grammar tools?
You might be wondering if you work quite a bit in Microsoft Word or even Google Docs. But, think about how many times you mistype words in your social media posts or your emails.
I like to think of grammar tools as the backup for using writing software. It always helps to have an extra pair of eyes and when you work online and/or at home, it helps even more. Think of it as having a browser editor.
Plus, it actually speeds up your writing. If a grammar tool goes behind you correcting some of your errors, then you focus more on writing and not editing.
Grammar tools you can use
So, here is my list of choices. Most can be installed on Chrome, but a few can be installed on Microsoft Edge. Check it out for yourself. I like the extension idea which doesn’t really work that well on Mac, I have to say, but on Chrome and Edge, the tools are right there. You simply click on the extension icon and use them. I think it makes things so much easier!
Grammarly
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Grammarly here. This grammar tool, as many know, works with artificial intelligence (AI). You can, of course, use the free extension, but you can purchase the bells and whistles for $144 or more for a year.
I am not sure why Grammarly occasionally goes in its rogue direction, but I am sure with time it will improve. Far too many people use and love this extension, and improving its technology will only pay off.
Ginger
The Ginger extension works pretty much like Grammarly, but it does not work with Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Since I like using Google Docs or Word to write a lot, this really bums me out. Ginger pushes the idea that it works similarly to Grammarly, but until they integrate it with the major writing software programs, it is a negative extension for a writer, in my opinion.
So, I hate to say, Ginger isn’t my gal.
Microsoft Editor
So, did you know that you can purchase a monthly subscription to Microsoft Word and get tons of free stuff too? Not only do you get an amazing business account with tons of cloud storage, a personalized email, and many 360 services, but Word has an extension to add to your browser. You sign in to your account when you use the extension.
And guess what it has? A grammar, editor, and spell checker. I used this for a while, and I liked the fact that it had more grammar suggestions than the free Grammarly, but it was missing some things. Microsoft does tell you the app is in Beta, so I think I will wait before I go back to using it.
It isn’t a total washout, but as I said, they need to work out some kinks.
LanguageTool
As I already said, LanguageTool is a pretty good extension I have been using. I have not used this one very often, but it does have a high rating in the Google Chrome store. Honestly, I don’t know why, because it offers extra suggestions Grammarly doesn’t.
Plus, it checks for spelling and grammar just like Grammarly and Ginger, and it seems to work on almost any website. Yet, a few grammar rules, LanguageTool thinks Grammarly has wrong, and vice versa. As long as one or the other gets the rules right most of the time, I can quickly check and set rules for each app.
Overall, I like LanguageTool.
Wordtune
Word Tune also contains Artificial Intelligence technology. Plus, they offer you two methods of writing tones. You choose either a casual tone or a more professional tone. They do have a limited free version but it contains limited services, though.
It works on Google Chrome and many other websites, so you don’t have to worry about typos in your emails. 😉 You can purchase the full-service extension for about $110.
Grammar apps only help so much
Getting a grammar and spell checker works great for people who write all the time. It makes even better sense if there is an editing program to help you with word arrangements and offer some better solutions for your wording.
However, the idea that you solely depend on any AI-powered writing or grammar tool is really not a good one.
Generally, I like Grammarly. I am not sure why it malfunctioned on me, but it gave me an opportunity to try out Language Tool and Wordtune.
