LanguageTool

What is LanguageTool?

LanguageTool is an AI-based grammar checker and writing assistant. It helps you identify and fix grammar, punctuation, and spelling issues by letting you paste text or type directly to receive suggestions.

It also supports writing in multiple languages (including English, German, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Dutch) and can automatically detect the language you’re using to provide relevant corrections.

Key Features

• AI grammar, punctuation, and spelling checking: Detects grammatical errors (such as incorrect subject–verb agreement and wrong plural forms) and flags spelling issues for correction.
• Language detection while you write: When you paste or type text (including in supported writing contexts), LanguageTool automatically detects the language to generate suggestions.
• Picky Mode for advanced improvements: Offers additional suggestions for punctuation, style, and typography (described as “Picky Mode”).
• Personal Dictionary and suggestion statistics: Lets you create and manage terms you want to keep and provides statistics on productivity, languages used, errors made, and suggestions applied.
• Distraction-free editor and appearance options: Includes an editor experience described as distraction-free, with the option to choose dark or light appearance.
• Browser and editor add-ons: Provides add-ons for browsers so you can receive writing tips while composing emails, blog posts, tweets, or other web-based text.
• Writing app support (Windows/macOS and office integrations): Includes Windows and macOS apps/checkers for supported desktop apps and integrations such as Google Docs add-ons and Microsoft Word add-ins.

How to Use LanguageTool

1. Start with the web editor: Paste your text or begin typing in the LanguageTool editor to see grammar, spelling, and other issue suggestions.
2. Use the available writing apps: For in-app checking, install or enable the relevant LanguageTool option for your browser or office program (where supported).
3. Review underlines and suggestions: Use the highlighted indicators (including mentions of red/blue underlines) to jump to issues and accept appropriate fixes.
4. Optionally enable Picky Mode: Turn on “Picky Mode” when you want more detailed punctuation, style, and typography suggestions.
5. Track progress with Statistics: Use the statistics view to review error patterns and improvements over time.

Use Cases

• Quick proofreading for emails or blog drafts: Paste or type content to catch grammar and punctuation issues while preparing an email or a blog post.
• Multilingual writing support: Write in more than one language, relying on automatic language detection to get suggestions for grammar and spelling in the detected language.
• Improving consistency with statistics: Check statistics to see which languages you use, what types of errors you encounter, and which suggestions you apply so you can adjust how you write.
• Web-based writing while composing: Use the browser add-on to receive improvement tips while typing content for common web workflows (e.g., messages, posts, tweets), with language detection and suggestions.
• Office document editing: Use integrations for office tools to check longer-form writing—described examples include dissertations, essays, books, and notes.

FAQ

Does LanguageTool work only in a browser? No. It’s available as a web-based editor and also as add-ons and tools for browsers and several desktop/office environments described on the site.

Which writing issues does it check? LanguageTool targets grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and it can also flag style-related issues (including overused phrases, redundant words, and improper word choice).

Can it suggest more detailed corrections? Yes. The site describes an option called “Picky Mode” that provides advanced punctuation, style, and typography suggestions.

How does LanguageTool handle multiple languages? It supports multiple languages and can automatically detect the language you’re writing in to tailor suggestions.

Is there an option to track improvement? Yes. The site describes a Statistics feature that tracks productivity and provides an overview of languages used, errors made, and suggestions applied.

Alternatives

• General-purpose spelling/grammar checkers (desktop or browser-based): Similar goal (catching spelling/grammar mistakes) but may differ in language coverage and depth of style/punctuation suggestions.
• Writing assistance platforms focused on style: These prioritize rewriting, tone, and style consistency; they may be stronger for style-focused tasks than for pinpoint grammar/punctuation corrections.
• Translation/localization tools with writing support: Useful if your main need is multilingual writing, but they typically emphasize translation rather than detailed grammar and punctuation checking.
• Rule-based grammar checkers: Instead of AI-driven suggestions, they rely on predefined grammar rules; workflows and supported languages may differ.