Grammar editing software has come a long way since the early 1990s. In addition to spelling and word suggestions, these programs now analyze documents at the phrase and sentence level, providing writers with a valuable tool that, when used correctly, it can be the perfect editing companion.

Advantages:
o Provides a quick review, highlighting red flags and definite typos, as well as grammar and punctuation errors.
o Offers an extensive database of synonyms, which can help polish your writing.
o Provide mini-lessons and/or grammar reminders. For example, the passive voice is often marked.

Cons:
o Does not always detect typos, homonyms, or conversational phrases.
o Context is key to choosing the right word(s), which the grammar checking software may not recognize.
o Suggestions may not always be correct. Writers need to be confident enough in their own writing not to always rely on software tips.

Simply put, any grammar checking software should be used as an editor, not a writer. As for the options available, consider the headings below. These are the most useful (and popular) for writers of all levels, from students to business professionals.

Microsoft Word
A pioneer in editing software, Microsoft Word is the most widely used word processor in the world. Fortunately, it comes with its own spelling and grammar checker, which first debuted in 1992. Since then, Word has continued to lead the field when it comes to simplifying typing tasks. It not only checks documents at the word, sentence, and sentence level, but also helps with overall formatting and presentation.

White smoke
Perhaps the most popular of all the standalone grammar checkers, Whitesmoke works with Microsoft Word and MSN Messenger. He not only helps with documents, but also with correspondence. Its goal is to enrich writing, and for this, Whitesmoke offers more than 6,000,000 enrichment corrections and more than 7,400,000 grammar corrections. The program checks for passive voice, overused words, and overly detailed sentences.

Editor
Serenity Software’s editor is made to help writers refine their prose. It doesn’t just check for typos or subject-verb agreement; rather, it analyzes a document at three levels: word, sentence, and sentence. It works best as a proofreader for writers who are confident in their writing. It offers six different modes including Fix, Tighten, and Polish.

styleease
StyleEase is for academic writers who want to focus on content rather than format. Simplifies citations as well as reference entries for APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Seminary styles. It works with Microsoft Word.

Once again, grammar checking software can be useful if used correctly. The biggest “con” of such software is that it can make a writer trust it too. While it’s meant to help writers, it can also make writers doubt themselves. Remember, you are the writer. The writing should reflect “you”, not a computer program.

final advice
The English language is complex; so should the software that edits it. When choosing a grammar checker, keep in mind that the best one will have an extensive dictionary that takes word usage into account.
Ideally, the program should parse a document not only at the word and phrase level, but also at the sentence level. There must be agreement in all areas.