ProWritingAid Review. Does this grammar checker fix your writing issues?
ProWritingAid will help you develop your writing abilities and become a better writer by providing an editor for grammar and style. How does it work? Could it be beneficial to you? It performed as I had hoped, and I have an ProWritingAid evaluation.
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If you’ve ever had to write a piece of writing, you realize that mistakes are bound to happen. The same mistakes can be found in all writers, from typos to spelling mistakes and not knowing the correct word to too many grammar nuances that are difficult to remember.
It would be great to have an editor or a writing instructor who is always there to correct errors. (I am biased because I’m an editor, but it’s true. There’s no substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a live, human being who knows how language works and can help your ideas be communicated in the best possible way.
If you don’t have time or budget to invest in an editor, grammar-checking software such as ProWritingAid can be a cost-effective alternative.
ProWritingAid’s Editor’s Recommendation
ProWritingAid is a product I’ve heard about from writers I trust. However I was skeptical as an editor. A piece of software could find all mistakes in my writing. Can it be used as a replacement for editors who are human? Would it help writers find and fix the problems in their writing and grow in their craft?
Let me also admit that I had a question. Could I write so flawlessly that ProWritingAid could not even critique it?
I decided to try ProWritingAid myself and see how it performs.
Although I wasn’t compensated to write this article, I want to be completely honest and inform you that all links in this article are affiliate links. If you sign to join ProWritingAid, it will help me continue writing and offering editing tips. This will not impact the price you pay. It has not affected my decision regarding the program.
ProWritingAid is available here.
How does it stack up? Here are my findings.
ProWritingAid Review: The Basics
A brief introduction What is ProWritingAid?
ProWritingAid describes itself as “a grammar expert, style editor, and writing mentor all in all in one box.” It’s a piece of writing software that acts as an intricate system of grammar checkers, spell checkers, and style checkers.
ProWritingAid can be used by writers, editors, students, and copywriters. It doesn’t whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, ProWritingAid has features that will help your writing.
It is available in both the free and premium versions. The premium version will give you more options and assistance.
What features does it have? Let’s look at it in detail.
Grammar and Spelling Checkers
ProWritingAid is a top performer in this field. ProWritingAid has stronger grammar and spelling checks than Microsoft Word.
Red underlining is used to highlight spelling mistakes and blue underlining is for grammar. My favorite thing about this feature is the small box that pops up when you hover over the text that is underlined. It offers a suggestion for correction and an explanation as to why it suggests that.
There’s also an error-checker that examines all errors it finds and directs you to them with a single click. Do you not want to know the amount of errors it spots when you write? It is able to be switched off or on at any time.
More than a Dictionary and Thesaurus
Most writing software comes with a built-in dictionary or thesaurus. ProWritingAid is an advanced version of these tools, providing a dictionary, a tosaurus, as well as many word suggestion tools.
You are searching for the perfect word for your English paper, but you don’t know where to start? Use the standard dictionary or thesaurus. Click on any word that is underlined to open a list offering alternatives.
Are you writing poetry? Do you require an unambiguous poetry line or do you want to avoid the use of alliteration in your text? There’s an analysis of alliteration for this.
If you’re drafting a story, do not rely on clichés. They’ll be snared by redundancy or clichés.
Don’t know if the right they, there, or they’re correct? The homonym checking will check your word usage to find any mistakes and correct them.
By using these tools, it’s simple to ensure that you say exactly what you want to say in the right place each time.
Robust Reports on Your Writing
So far, so good. I have to admit that I was certain of my abilities as an Editor to make ProWritingAid the most effective.
It gave me an analysis I wouldn’t have been able to gather without ProWritingAid.
In the previous paragraph, I highlighted several of ProWritingAid’s dictionaries as well as reports and checkers. These examples are just one of the many tools ProWritingAid can offer.
There are a variety of reports you can use to analyze and improve your writing. I’m not going to cover all of them, but I want to select a few of my favorites.
Writing Style Report
This report, in conjunction with the grammar and spelling tools, is one of the most valuable reports that you can utilize to quickly and easily clean your prose. Writing Style reports evaluate your writing and identify any improvement that could be made. It highlights elements of writing style like:
Passive voice
Hidden verbs
Adverbs that are overused
You can repeat the exact sentence many times
It will quickly show you where you can make small changes to your writing that will enhance your writing style and create a better experience for the readers.
The Word Count Report & Sentence Length Report
A lot of writing tools have word counters, however the Sentence Length report is so much more powerful than that.
It will calculate the words and characters in your document Yes. It will count every word within each sentence, and show them in a clear visual. It will display the average length of your sentences and the variation in length. In addition, it will alert you if there are any unusually long sentences.
When you know what you mean to say but it’s difficult to tell where readers won’t understand. Sentence length reports are a useful tool to identify unclear lines and assist you to break them down.
Three Reports beat Repetition
ProWritingAid provides three reports that will assist you in identifying frequently used words.
The Overused Words report will highlight any overused words. It will also inform you how many times to remove them so they don’t become overused. It will compare your writing with other writing published to help you understand how your style compares to others.
The All Repeats report will mark phrases and words that are up to four words that you’ve used repeatedly throughout your writing. They don’t need to be used all the time, but it can be useful to keep track of the words you’re repeating.
Echoes will report any repeated words or phrases. It will also suggest other words you can use to break up the repetition.
The Sentence Structure Report
The Sentence Structure Report is one that I find fascinating. It examines how sentences are constructed to reveal where certain syntax is being used repeatedly.
37 percent of my sentences are subject-oriented and none of them start with the word Gerund. This isn’t a problem however I find it useful to be aware of ways to increase variety in my writing.
The Pacing Report
The report was something I didn’t expect, but was thrilled to discover. The Pacing report is an excellent tool for writers who are creative.
Some backstory is good but if you go overboard, you’ll begin to bore your reader. This tool can detect sections in your manuscript slowing down, so you’ll be able to instantly determine whether it’s excessive or not.
The Plagiarism Report
Plagiarism is a major issue for writers, is the Plagiarism Report. ProWritingAid has scanned millions of books, articles, and academic papers, and will examine your writing for any patterns that are found in different documents.
Unlike other ProWritingAid reports, the Plagiarism checker isn’t part of the typical Premium version. Premium Plus allows you to purchase fifty Plagiarism Checks per year.
The House Report
Are you writing for an organization with a stylebook for its employees? Do you want ProWritingAid to check for patterns or rules in your writing?
The House report can be customized to your liking. ProWritingAid can create an report based on the information you provide.
Examine the Heart’s Content
ProWritingAid provides more than nine reports. It’s worth looking at the complete list, or sign up for an initial trial for free to play with the program.
With these reports, you are able to get as granular as you want in your writing analysis. Take a deep dive into readability using the Readability report, and then nitpick each inconsistency using the Consistency report or simply correct grammar errors and move on with the Grammar report.
Whatever kind of writing you do, there is a report that can help you improve your writing and help you become a better writer.
How to use ProWritingAid?
The ProWritingAid editor is accessible directly from the ProWritingAid site. Edit your text directly on the ProWritingAid website. Copy and paste from an other document.
You don’t have to use the ProWritingAid website. You can download a plugin that will allow ProWritingAid to analyze your writing in any word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Scrivener.
It is also possible to install the Chrome extension and get your own writing coach who will be with you on the internet. Do not worry about spelling mistakes in your status updates on Facebook!
ProWritingAid vs. Premium
What’s inside the box? What will you receive when you sign up for ProWritingAid?
Here’s how the premium and free versions compare.
ProWritingAid Premium for Free
Online Version Only Access to Desktop Application
Can analyze up 500 words simultaneously. Can review all length documents simultaneously
25 Writing Reports 25 Writing reports
Word Explorer tools: Limited Results
Integration with MS Word, Google Docs, Chrome, and Scrivener
Real Time Grammar and Style Score
Sign up here to get ProWritingAid.
ProWritingAid is available as a no-cost trial. It is a wonderful starting point. The premium version has more features and the ability to customize for me.
How much does premium pricing work? ProWritingAid uses subscription-based pricing. You can select the length of time you’d like to subscribe for, or go all in by obtaining lifetime access.
60$ per Year
2-year $90
Three Year $120
$210 for Lifetime
Sign up now for ProWritingAid.
ProWritingAid comes with a 14-day money back assurance. If you test it and find it doesn’t help you with your writing, you’ll be able to end your subscription in two weeks and receive an entire refund. ProWritingAid will only offer one refund per customer.
The Editor’s Disclaimer
Let me add one caution to this discussion Grammar tools and checkers are essential.
Grammar checkers help you to identify grammar problems and provide possible solutions. ProWritingAid can understand the context and use, and suggest the right solutions. It is essential to review each suggestion and take any suggestions that aren’t useful.
No matter which grammar software you choose to use, if all it recommends is altered it will introduce new errors to your writing. Grammar checkers are not able to replace an editor in this way.
But they will help you to write an edited piece of writing. ProWritingAid offers a variety of options which go far beyond grammar checking. I believe it’s an essential tool for any writer.
The verdict is: Would this Editor suggest ProWritingAid to be published?
Let me be transparent I was skeptical at first. A good editor is something I strongly believe in. Even with the many reports ProWritingAid offers, I do not believe that there will ever be a complete replacement for the human element.
ProWritingAid is a fantastic tool for writers. Here’s my honest ProWritingAid review: I believe this is an incredibly helpful tool for writers of all stage.
You’re ready to give ProWritingAida a test and see if it improves your writing.
ProWritingAid’s grammar checkers can help you identify and correct mistakes in your writing, and also teach you how to avoid these mistakes.
ProWritingAid’s word choice and style tools will allow you to improve your writing skills.
I encourage you to re-examine your writing If you’re like me and think you know more than what a writing tool can offer. I love the detailed breakdown of my writing sentence word for word. ProWritingAid identifies patterns I didn’t see in my own writing, so I am able to understand my personal style better and modify it as I want.
ProWritingAid will give you the right feedback, regardless of whether you are looking for an automated tool to test spelling and grammar, a teaching device to aid you in mastering grammar rules, or an editor for style to assist you in improving your prose.
Are you ready to give it a try?