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6 Free Online Proofreading Tools For Perfect Writing [2022 Edition]

Published by Abhishek Raj

Updated on January 1, 2022

Proofreading is a cornerstone of impeccable writing skills. Whether you are writing an email , a blog post, an essay or even an academic paper, you will appreciate how proofreading can dramatically improve your English writing skills. It is awkward to find silly spelling or grammatical errors in your writing, especially once it has been published. It is therefore imperative to scan your articles or messages for common errors before hitting the publish/send button. In this article today, I will share the best free online proofreading tools for an error-free writing experience. After-all, flawless writing not only attracts, but also helps bolster the trust and authority of an author. Agree?

The importance of proofreading and editing

Proof reading and revision are fundamental to the writing process because they:

• Ensure that your writing is error free and up to the highest standards.
• Provide you a second chance to review your writing tone and style.
• Add credibility and professionalism to your work.
• Encourage your readers to appreciate and cite your work.
• Save you from the disgrace of being labeled as a callow writer or author.

List of the 6 best & free online proofreading tools:

Now let’s review the top 6 proofreading tools on the internet, one by one:

1. Grammarly

If you are a blogger or a freelance writer, you must have heard about Grammarly. It boldly positions itself as the world’s best free online proofreader. I am myself using Grammarly software to proofread the articles on this blog and please, believe me, it does the job incredibly well. Its online proofreader automatically scans your text using over 400 advanced grammatical rules and word-usage.

To use Grammarly, you will first need to create a free account using your email address . You can use Grammarly in either of the following forms, as per your convenience:

• Standalone online proofreader
• A software application on your computer
• Chrome extension – to help you proofread anything you write on the web, including your emails, social media posts, and even WordPress.
• Add-in for Microsoft Word.

2. Language Tool

After Grammarly, my next recommendation is Language Tool . Funded by the European Union, this free online proofreading tool integrates well as an extension with popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, including support for integration with popular text-based writers like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Libre Office. The free version enables you to do a quick grammar check for up to 20,000 characters. In my honest opinion, this is a must-try proofreading tool.

3. Pro Writing Aid

If you are looking for a feature-rich and user-friendly interface in an online proofreader tool, look no further than Pro Writing Aid . It checks your text in real-time for grammatical errors, writing style (Active/Passive), spelling mistakes, and over-used words. Like the other fellow online proofreaders, Pro Writing Aid also integrates well with MS Word, Open Office, Google Docs, and Google Chrome, so that you can proofread your text wherever you write. The free version allows you to check a text of up to 500-words. However, if you wish to upgrade (which is a little expensive), you gain access to checks with unlimited word counts, full reports and in-depth articles. Here is a screenshot of Pro Writing Aid in action:

4. Google Docs

If you are looking for a trustworthy and faster spelling and grammar checker, then Google Docs is perhaps the best free online proofreading tool that you need to choose. With no fancy detailed reports and advanced language checks, Google Docs is perfect for intermediate to advanced English writers who are just looking for quick spelling and grammar checks. Once you’ve finished writing in Google Docs, either click on the Spell check icon on the top toolbar or type the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + X).

Google Docs will then highlight all the errors in the document, giving you a chance to review each spelling and grammatical error, one by one.

5. Ginger Software

Ginger software is yet another free and equally efficient online proofreading tool. I’ve used it and have found that it is more or less similar to Grammarly. With a strong contextual grammatical and spelling check algorithm, Ginger is hands down one of those few online proofreader tools that you can trust. What’s more? Ginger also provides support for integration with Windows/Mac (as software) and with Chrome/Safari/Office (as an extension).

6. Grammar Lookup

Grammar lookup  uses artificial intelligence to check for common grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors in your text. It also checks for sentence structuring and styling issues to make your writing more interesting and meaningful. It is lightweight, free and gets the job done in a matter of seconds.

I don’t think there is even a capping on word count while proofreading your text. All these awesome features make it eligible to be listed among the best free online proofreading tools.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Yes, you can use two or even more proofreading tools simultaneously. However, be cautious about the conflict of grammatical and punctuation rules.

Proofreading is the final stage of the writing and editing process. Once your draft is final, you may use a reliable proofreading app to iron out all the grammatical and punctuation errors.

Every proofreading software has its own pros and cons. Some are fantastic at spelling and grammatical corrections, while some excel at punctuation and sentence styling. However, as a beginner, you may start with a free Grammarly account.

Proofreading apps cannot substitute human reasoning and intelligence. So, the best technique is to first go through the draft on your own. Read it several times and make edits accordingly. Once you’ve proofread yourself, take the help of a proofreading tool to check for even further scopes to make your writing clearer and more interesting.

What’s your favorite proofreading tool?

I have just reviewed the best handpicked proofreading tools to help you write more efficiently and clearly. What has been your experience with the tools I’ve reviewed above? Can you suggest even more free and reliable online proofreading apps? Please share in the comments below.

Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you decide to click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Read more about this disclosure

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About the author

4 thoughts on “6 free online proofreading tools for perfect writing [2022 edition]”.

Hi Abhishek

I enjoyed reviewing your post about proof-reading tools and have used your web link in a PDA I am doing to support Inclusiveness. I found your straightforward and short blog will appeal to students looking for something that ‘does what it says’.

Thank you so much, Sarah. ?

A very good compilation of the best proofreading tools on the Internet. How about the built in proofreader in MS word?

Hi Anurag. That’s also a good option. But for a better proofreading experience, I suggest you go with Google Docs.

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Publish confidently by proofreading to perfection

“Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.” — Patricia Fuller

We’re pretty open-minded, but we generally recommend that writing be at least partially dressed before sharing it with the world.

Now that just about everyone is a writer, just about everyone is a proofreader too, when you think about it. Which is why we believe now is the time to get clear about what exactly proofreading entails in our modern world.

What is proofreading?

Proofreading refers to carefully checking for writing and formatting errors in a text before it’s published. It’s the final step in making sure a piece of writing is as close to “perfect” as possible by double-checking for punctuation and spelling errors, typos, and any inconsistencies. The most important purpose of writing is to communicate your thoughts effectively. This, however, is better suited for the editing phase, not the proofreading phase. While proofreaders will check for clarity in consistency, they’re more focused on minor errors that may have slipped through. When you proofread, you evaluate the content in what will be its final, published form, or a proof. (Get it now?) Proofreaders look at more than just the words — they’re scanning for any formatting errors as well. Proofreading marks are either made on paper, or in comments and digital notes in Google Docs and word processing software, to alert the writer of suggested corrections within a document. There are both US and UK English conventions for proofreading. The final step of any personal or business writing process, proofreading is the process of identifying and correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

The difference between proofreading and editing

It’s important to note that proofreading and editing are not the same. Editing involves a different skill set and is usually more time-consuming. Though there are various stages to the entire editing process, copy editing and proofreading are the two most common. Coincidentally, they’re also the two that get mixed up the most. Though developmental, structural, and line editing all deserve their time and place , they’re seen less frequently in the world of digital content creation. These parts of the editing process are better reserved for lengthier works, such as books, investigative journalism, essays, instructional works, and magazine articles. The terms copy editing and proofreading are often used interchangeably by those not familiar with the space. These two are not the same, though, and it’s crucial to be aware of their differences if you’re anyone working with written content.

Copy editing Copy editing takes place before proofreading and involves a more thorough shake down of the content at hand. Copy editors will look for things such as readability, grammar, spelling, style, syntax, and punctuation depending on what style guide they’re following. In this stage of the editing process, it’s okay to offer revisions that will require additional writing.

Examples of what a copy editor might comment: Point out wordy sentences, suggest change in word choice, fix punctuation marks in a sentence.

Proofreading Proofreading occurs after copy editing. Though proofreaders look for grammar and punctuation, they’re also focused on the overall formatting of the piece. They’re the last set of eyes before publication, so it’s their job to ensure the text is as close to perfect as it can get. No drastic changes will happen here — that’s the job of all the editors who came before.

Examples of what a proofreader might comment: Fix bad line breaks, change improper punctuation, point out incorrect page numbers.

How to proofread

Traditionally, proofreading is meant to be a relatively rapid and focused process of making sure writing is free of minor errors, such as typos that may have occurred during a more rigorous round of editing. For online publishing and blogging — which often includes transferring of content from a word processing document to a CMS (content management system) — proofreading includes making sure that formatting is correct. Adhering to a style guide — whether that be the Associated Press Stylebook , Chicago Manual of Style , or your own — is another vital part of the process. Consistency is key, and proofreaders need to be aware of what rules to follow for the given copy.

Common things to double-check when proofreading

• Links function properly and direct readers to the right pages
• Words — especially names and organizations — are spelled correctly
• Formatting appears as it was intended — bolds, italics, indentations, new paragraphs, and fonts are correct
• Proper punctuation is used throughout
• Capitalization is correct
• No “bad breaks,” such as widows or orphans
• Helpful information such as an FAQ section exists
• Consistent tenses throughout the piece
• No subject-verb agreement issues
• Headline or email subject is clear
• Citations match the brand style guide
• No misplaced or misused commas
• Voice and style are consistent throughout

When is the best time to proofread text?

The best time to proofread is during every project’s final stage, after revisions are done and copy editing has been completed. Proofreading is the last step. If you’re wondering what time is the best, we advise after morning coffee and before your deadline. Because the proofreading process is intended to be the final step before publishing or hitting “send,” the changes should be relatively minor — meaning, catching typos or errors that may have slipped by. In other words, proofreading is not the phase where you should be completely reworking a paragraph or changing the direction of your main points. Proofreading is not the time to decide that you’ve changed your stance on an important topic — that kind of change should happen during the initial planning, thesis-writing, or outline phase of your writing. In this stage, you also shouldn’t completely overhaul a piece of writing from, say, a 1,500-word blog post to a 3,000-word help article. That work should have been done during the developmental editing phase.

Top proofreading techniques and tricks

Ask someone else to proofread for you Get a pair of fresh eyes on your writing. After spending so much time on your work, you’ll be apt to accidentally glaze over errors and typographical errors. It’s like a crooked painting in your house — you don’t notice it until someone else points it out. If you have to proofread your own work, step away Close your document, shut down your computer, and take a break from staring at the screen for a few hours (the longer, the better). Go for a walk, sip some coffee, and you’ll have a fresher set of eyes when you return. Focus on one thing at a time When you’re on high-alert for every type of proofing error, it’s easier to miss some mistakes. Instead, try combing a paper only for punctuation, then again for spelling mistakes, and so on. Come back to it if you’re tired Don’t ever try to proofread at the end of the day when your attention span is nil, and all you want to do is sleep. Sleep on it and try again in the morning. Proofreading with a set of sleepy eyes is as good as not proofreading at all. Print it out Editing a hard copy — and not a digital one — will help you see your writing from a different perspective. It feels different, and putting pen to paper feels more substantive and also satisfying. Read it out loud Reading your own writing out loud is a great way to catch any misspelled words or wonky sentences you might’ve missed before. While it might feel funny at first, you’ll find yourself noticing things such as run-on sentences that you wouldn’t have otherwise when reading it silently. Allot two days to proofread Ideally, proofreading should happen at least two days before a deadline. This ensures that you’ll have enough time to implement changes with one more round of proofing to come. Take into consideration the length of your writing — the longer it is, the longer proofing will take. Use an AI proofreading tool You can use an AI writing assistant to help with proofreading digital content. Nowadays, the top ones on the market are programmed to catch spelling, grammatical errors, and some even help you adhere to your style guide . For example, Writer uses AI to catch and correct common writing mistakes — as well as ones personal to your company’s style guide — and ensure your text is ready to share. Proofreading example Editors and professional proofreaders usually check a printed “proof copy” of the text and make corrections using specialized marks. In the digital realm, proofreaders work with AI writing assistants. Most of these online proofreading and editing services also include plagiarism checkers to identify duplicate content on the web and provide an efficient solution for the publication.

Improve your proofreading skills with Writer

With edits occurring more frequently in the “tracked changes” on Microsoft Word or in suggestions on shared Google Docs, proofreaders find themselves doing their job digitally. And in a world flooded with copy and content, it’s crucial to ensure your words stand out, for all the right reasons. Writer is much more than just a spell check — think of it as your very own professional proofreader. And if you’re looking to implement language and content consistency company-wide, Writer has that too. Take your proofreading up a notch by publishing a living, breathing style guide that Writer implements almost anywhere you produce copy. With terminology management , custom writing style rules, snippets, and more, you don’t ever have to worry about your content being flooded with errors.

Illustration by Daniel Zender

Level-up your writing with Writer, your very own proofreader.

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The Benefits of Using an Online Proofreading Service

4-minute read

• 27th March 2024

Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether you’re a student, an academic, a writer, or a business professional, an online proofreading service can help you polish your writing . In this post, you’ll learn about the importance of proofreading, online proofreading services, and some of the benefits of using one.

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the final stage of the writing process. It takes place after editing, and it’s often viewed as the last pass on a piece of writing before submission or publication. An editor will make changes to the content, organization, or structure of a text, and a proofreader will correct any lingering mistakes or inconsistencies. 

Common proofreading tasks include:

• Correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
• Supplying missing words or punctuation
• Correcting inconsistent spellings 
• Correcting capitalization
• Correcting formatting errors
• Eliminating repetition
• Correcting typos

Why Proofread?

It’s important to proofread to ensure high-quality writing, regardless of your profession. Errors in writing can have negative effects, such as a lower grade on an assignment, a rejection letter from a publisher, or a missed job opportunity. Though proofreading is the final stage in the writing process, it’s just as important as the ones that come before. Your writing says a lot about you and your ability to pay attention to details, communicate effectively, and demonstrate your professionalism.

The Benefits of Online Proofreading Services

You always have the option to proofread your own writing or to search for a proofreader yourself . Both of these pursuits, however, can be time-consuming. If time is of the essence or you’re just in need of more guidance, think about taking advantage of an online proofreading service instead. Using one has several benefits, described below.

Convenience

You can think of online proofreading services as a one-stop shop. In addition to proofreading, they can offer a range of services such as editing, formatting, and fact-checking. This feature could be helpful if you’re not sure which service you need or if your writing could benefit from two services, such as both proofreading and editing .

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As a one-stop shop, online proofreading services can save you time and money in finding a skilled proofreader. Proofreading companies have already vetted experienced proofreaders for you, and a qualified team is on hand to offer help and expertise in multiple subject areas. If you have pressing deadlines to meet, 24-7 support and rush return options are often available.

Effective Writing and Communication

Qualified proofreaders will help you eliminate spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors so your writing is accurate and easy to read. Error-free writing will, in turn, strengthen your ability to communicate your ideas more effectively. This asset is especially important for a student writing a paper, a writer looking to get their work published, or a researcher submitting an article to a journal.

Enhanced Professional Image

Effective writing and communication styles will also enhance your credibility and professional image. In business, whether you’re updating your resume, writing an important memo or report, or building awareness of your company’s brand, high-quality writing will help you put your best work forward.

An online proofreading service is a convenient and efficient way for you to ensure your writing is clear and concise. Qualified proofreaders, fast delivery times, and a range of services will help you maximize your time so you can meet your professional goals.

Where can you find a reputable online proofreading service? Proofed’s proofreading services is a great place to start to help you put a final polish on your writing. To learn more, submit your first 500-word document for free!

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