For some people grammar can be tricky. For others, they can spell out the rules of grammar fluently like a second language. English grammar is the most difficult of all languages. No other language has as much punctuation, spelling differences, and nuances like English. If you have trouble with spelling, subject/verb agreement, or even comma placement, most word processing programs have a spelling or even a grammar checker to assist you in making sure the grammar is correct. However, no one should rely solely on the program to find all the errors. Certain words called homophones that are spelled correctly but used incorrectly will be looked over. Plural possessives may be looked over. In some instances, because of the simple syntax of the sentence, certain words or phrases will be highlighted as incorrect when in fact it is correct.

Anytime you write something that is going to be seen by a large group of people and carries some importance such as an work email, a blog post,an article for the local paper, or even a flyer for an event, it is important to make sure that the grammar is 100% correct. For every grammar mistake that is seen in your writing, the validity of what is written is diminished. Here are some tips to achieving top-notch and grammar-error free writing:

1. Write out the entire piece, save your work, and walk away. Give yourself an hour or even a day before looking at it again.
2. Print the piece out and re-read from the paper rather than the computer’s monitor. Your eyes will not see the words the same as looking at the screen.
3. Read it out loud. Whether it is to yourself, to the dog, or another person, having to read the words out loud uses causes you to slow down and actually hear what has been written.
4. Give it to another person or three to look at and find errors. It is much easier to find the mistakes someone else made than our own.
5. Read the document from the bottom up.

Even the most acclaimed writers and editors make a mistake now and again. But that does not mean you should not take the time to proofread your work. With all the software technology available today, not one program exists that can guarantee to find and correct any mistakes leaving you with 100% proper grammar.

Ever poured your heart out into your writing, only to get it back filled with red marks and corrections? Proofreading is essential in writing, where minute spelling and grammar errors are spotted and corrected to achieve perfection. Whether you’re a professional journalist, an article writer, or just a simple student writing a reflection essay, doing grammar and spell checking is a must. These mistakes are usually unnoticeable to the author, so the proofreading needs to be done by another person. However, not everyone has an editor or proofreader nearby to take a second look at their work. Luckily, there are tools available on the internet that do grammar and spell checking for you.

These sites can not only check the spelling and grammar, but also provide a thesaurus with a vast array of synonyms. The grammar checker not only highlights what’s wrong with your work, but also tells you which grammar rule you are breaking. It provides suggestions to correct your statements, and also highlights homonyms to ensure you are using the correct words. The online thesaurus, on the other hand, provides two levels of synonyms, giving you access to more words to better convey your message through your work. Lastly, the spell checker does more than just spell check, it also gives suggestions, ridding you of the nuisance of having to think of the correct way to spell that word. The spell checker even allows you to personalize your options, storing them in Cookies so the system will remember your preferences the next time you avail the online service.

Just as everyone says “nobody is perfect,” it’s true. Even the most experienced proofreaders can miss a comma, or an additional letter that just seemed to blend in with the word, when not at their best. With that, do utilize these online checkers – they get the job done, they’re quick, and most importantly, they’re free.