GrammarPhile Blog

Grammar-Checking Software Doesn't Catch Everything: Here's Proof

Posted by Kelly Creighton   Feb 1, 2019 7:30:00 AM

correcting-1870721_640Grammar-checking software can catch common typos and spelling errors. And it can certainly expedite the writing and editorial processes. But it can’t or won’t identify every type of grammatical error out there. Want proof?

Consider the following examples below. Each example was run through the following software: Microsoft Office Word’s built-in grammar checker, Grammarly, Ginger, and Language Tool.  The error(s) each software caught are highlighted. See if you can identify how many mistakes each grammar-checking software missed. And feel free to run each example below through your own grammar-checking software too, if it wasn’t already used here, to see if it catches any additional mistakes.

Be sure to read Grammar-Checking Software: A Quick Review before you get started for some additional insight and tips.

Example 1:

My new foreign exchange student wanted to took a ETL course, but don’t have the funds.

MS Word’s Result:

My new foreign exchange student wanted to took a ETL course, but don't have the funds.

Grammarly’s Result:

My new foreign exchange student wanted to took a ETL course, but don't have the funds.

Ginger’s Results:

In the examples below (and for all the Ginger examples), the first example shows the error that Ginger found. And the second sentence shows the suggested edit.

My new foreign exchange student wanted to took a ETL course, but don't have the funds.

My new foreign exchange student wanted to take an ETL course, but don't have the funds.

Language Tool’s Results:

My new foreign exchange student wanted to took a ETL course, but don't have the funds.

 

Example 2:

The Werewolf steadily run thro the town, bit someone and howled to the new moon on New Year’s eve.

MS Word’s Result:

The Werewolf steadily run thro the town, bit someone and howled to the new moon on New Year’s eve.

Grammarly’s Result:

The Werewolf steadily run thro the town, bit someone and howled to the new moon on New Year’s eve.

Ginger’s Results:

The Werewolf steadily run thro the town, bit someone and howled to the new moon on New Year’s eve.

The Werewolf steadily runs through the town, bit someone and howled to the new moon on New Year’s eve.

Language Tool’s Results:

The Werewolf steadily run thro the town, bit someone and howled to the new moon on New Year’s eve.

 

Example 3:

Their was an old fashioned custom that isn’t there favorite any more.

MS Word’s Result:

Their was an old fashioned custom that isn’t there favorite any more.

Grammarly’s Result:

Their was an old fashioned custom that isn’t there favorite any more.

Ginger’s Results:

Their was an old fashioned custom that isn’t there favorite any more.

There was an old fashioned custom that isn’t their favorite any more.

Language Tool’s Results:

Their was an old fashioned custom that isn’t there favorite any more.

 

Example 4:

I had a terrible very good bad day today. Did you have a bad day to?

MS Word’s Result:

No errors found.

Grammarly’s Result:

I had a terrible very good bad day today. Did you have a bad day to?

Ginger’s Results:

I had a terrible very good bad day today. Did you have a bad day to?

I had a terrible very good bad day today. Did you have a bad day too?

Language Tool’s Results:

No errors were found.

 

Example 5:

The issues for the all hands on deck meeting will not be won't be address in the email memo for this week. 

MS Word’s Result:

The issues for the all hands on deck meeting will not be won't be address in the email memo for this week. 

Grammarly’s Result:

The issues for the all hands on deck meeting will not be won't be address in the email memo for this week. 

Ginger’s Results:

The issues for the all hands on deck meeting will not be won't be address in the email memo for this week. 

The issues in the all hands on deck meeting will not be won't be addressed in the email memo for this week. 

Language Tool’s Results:

No errors were found.

***

Do you notice certain types of grammatical issues each software missed, or any interesting patterns? Share what you discover with us in the comments below.

 

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Topics: grammar checker software, automated grammar checker

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