By Shaina Lucas, PPS Editor People are writing more than ever with the surge of blogging, e-books, social media, and those pesky college papers. The use of English grammar has been debated for the past two decades as it slowly deteriorates from the curriculum of primary education. In 2010, Northumbria University published a study suggesting that a significant portion of native English speakers are unable to understand some basic grammatical sentences. Since humans were first able to speak, our lexicon and linguistics have drastically changed. English itself has gone through many changes just within the last century. Without formal grammar training, how do you know your sentence is correct? Even the English grammar experts in the world sometimes make mistakes. With new advances in technology, there are programs designed to help anyone create a grammatically correct manuscript, paper, or social media post.
As a note, no program or application is perfect. Even a
computer program cannot understand everything about the English language and
our various lexicons. These five apps have both a free version and a paid
premium version and are the best grammar apps available in 2020.
Grammarly
Grammarly is the
most noted grammar app on the market to date and has been in business since
2009. The software connects to different browser extensions as well as
Microsoft Word and Google Docs. More recently, an iOS app has been developed
for those who like to work from their phones. Grammarly is an advanced level
tool but is simple and easy to use. The free version checks for basic grammar,
spelling errors, and even has a function to let you pick the type of errors you
want to catch including repetition, contextual spelling, and tense. The
software also has a setting to change to the type of writing you are creating
such as a business memo, academic report, blog, and so on. Another great
feature of this software is its built-in plagiarism checker. The plagiarism
checker is perfect for anyone writing an article or a student writing a paper
before submitting it into Turnitin (a software used by colleges and universities
to submit academic papers that checks for plagiarism). The premium version of
Grammarly, which checks more advanced grammar issues, costs $29.95 a month or $139.95
a year.
CorrectEnglish
CorrectEnglish
was started by a U.S. company that evaluates college applications and can be a
wonderful tool. The app provides suggestions and corrections in real time as
you type. The app can show you where you can tighten up lengthy sentences and
provide alternatives to using common words for a more polished piece.
CorrectEnglish also provides templates for commonly used documents (such as MLA
or APA formatted academic papers) so you can see just how your piece should be formatted
and written. What makes this app different from other grammar apps is its
ability to provide feedback in other languages. This is perfect for an ESL
(English as a second language) learner. The app, like Grammarly, also comes
with a built-in plagiarism checker. This app costs $59 a year with their Pro
Saver plan, or $24 per month for their Professional plan. CorrectEnglish’s free
plan doesn’t provide as much as the paid plans (such as the templates and
advanced grammar checking) but is still a highly useful tool.
Ginger
Unlike Grammarly and CorrectEnglish, Ginger works a bit differently than
other grammar apps. Ginger is available in a desktop and iOS/Android app as
well as online. Ginger checks grammar like most other apps but helps your
English sound more natural. Ginger is one of the only apps that provides
practice courses based on your mistakes and can translate over 40 languages. While
typing, Ginger will show you corrections in real time and is very easy to use. Two
of the cons of this app are that it does not have a plagiarism checker, and
unless you have a pop-up blocker, you’ll be closing many pesky pop-up windows.
You can add Ginger’s extension for free on your browser (the website itself
says Chrome) and has a variety of payment plans. There is a monthly plan for
$29.96, an annual plan for $149.76, and a two-year plan for $479.52. If you’re
not looking to have a plagiarism checker and need translations, this is the app
for you.
Hemingway
Named for the famous 20th-century author, Hemingway is a tool based on his
ability to write clearly and concisely. The app analyzes your writing and
removes any filler words (sorry college students) and will highlight any
sentences that are hard to understand, too long, or need rephrasing. Like the
other apps listed, it also catches passive voice and gives examples to change
the sentence to active voice. Corrections appear to the side of your page and each
document has a built-in readability score. The lower the score, the easier your
work is able to be read. Hemingway does not have an iOS or Android app but does
have desktop software and a website where you can type or copy and paste your
work into a text box. The website version is free but to have the desktop
software it will cost a one-time payment of $19.99. This is one of the cheaper
options compared to other grammar programs. Sadly, Hemingway does not catch
misspelled words but is a great tool for those just looking to quickly improve
their grammar and create clear sentences.
Prowritingaid
Prowritingaid
is one of the more obscure grammar checking tools but also is one of the best. The
premium version provides an in-depth analysis of your work and a comprehensive
writing style checker. The user interface looks daunting but is fairly easy to
use. This app is also one of the only apps than can check for mismatched
quotation marks. Prowritingaid’s best use is for long-form writing such as
manuscripts and academic papers. The software works with Microsoft Word and
Google Docs and has a Chrome extension. Prowritingaid, however, does not have
an IOS or Android app. After a free trial, the program costs $70 a year, and
you can add the plagiarism checker for $10 more. Other plans also include $100
for two years, $140 for three years, and $240 for lifetime use.