All the program will do is tell you what’s wrong and leave you with little advice on how to correct the mistakes. Here’s a common alert from Word’s grammar checker: “Fragment (consider revising).” Revise how? What’s a fragment? You could have a go at fixing the problem by trial and error, but if you don’t know why the sentence is wrong, you probably won’t know how to fix it. The trouble with proofreading programs is that you usually have to be a qualified proofreader to understand the analysis reports they put out. However, people are still taking proofreading courses and looking for jobs as proofreaders. Given that there are so many convenient and free software options available for proofreading, why would anyone ever hire a human proofreader? Surely, those pursuing proofreading careers might as well pack up and pursue a more in-demand career instead. Most word processing programs include a spell-checker that also checks grammar. You may not realize it, but you probably already own a free proofreading program. There are also a number of freeware proofreading packages you can download and install on your computer. Those without heavy proofreading requirements might get by with a free version. Many proofreading program options are available for free, or at least offer a free, simplified version of a more elaborate paid program. After pressing a button, you receive a proofreading report on the contents of that text. The second format in the proofreading program contains a text box into which you either type or cut and paste some text. It will then either display or email you a report on the document. The first requires you to upload a file, which the program will then analyze. OnlineĪn online proofreading program may follow one of two different formats.

These programs add a tab on the menu bar that enables you to access the program’s proofreading functions. Another type of proofreading program is one that you add to an existing word processing program, like Microsoft Word or OpenOffice’s Writer. You write your documents in an editing window of the software, and side panels give you assessments and statistics on the spelling and grammar in your text.

Some proofreading programs look like word processing packages. So why bother hiring human proofreaders? Procedure You don’t even need to know how to install the software on your computer a whole range of online proofreading programs can be accessed online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For a one-time payment, you can get year-round instant proofreading for all your documents by putting them through your proofreading program. With all the proofreading software available these days, you may wonder why there are still human proofreaders.

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