Writing is tough and it can be even harder if you’re trying to do so in English for the first time. There are many words to learn and many ways to use those words. There are also lots of writing rules to get to grips with, from passive voice to using adjectives and adverbs.

If you’re looking for a bit of help and support, there are luckily a lot of free online tools available to use. They can help with everything from spelling and grammar to converting your sentences into shorter and sharper versions.

Let’s dive in.

How Can Online Tools Help With Writing?

You may already know how difficult English writing can be, especially when you’re practising it as a second language. It has one of the largest dictionaries in the world and many words can mean different things when used in different contexts.

It takes a lot of practice to master it and that takes time and effort. However, there are some tools that can help speed up the process and teach you as you practise.

A spelling and grammar checker for example can keep track of your writing as you type, highlighting any errors and suggesting corrections. This way you can learn from your mistakes as you work, which is by far one of the best ways to improve.

Some writing tools have now become even more advanced, embracing the likes of artificial intelligence to offer an even deeper level of support. For example, tools can help detect passive voice and suggest changes. They can also recommend different ways of saying a sentence, which can be a great help when trying to sharpen your writing.

Let’s take a look at some of these tools.

The Best Online Tools For English Writing

Let’s turn our attention to some of the best online tools for English writing. They can help with a range of different things, from sharpening your prose writing, editing, and fixing passive voice issues. And best of all, they’re free to use.

Passive Voice Checker And Converter

The timeless topic of passive voice continues to reverberate within the vast expanse of both fiction and non-fiction writing. It’s a quandary that scores of writers encounter, as many of us are naturally inclined to engage in conversations using passive constructions, almost as if it were second nature.

However, the true challenge lies in the undeniable aversion that publishers and readers have towards passive voice-laden prose. The root cause of this lies in its ability to obstruct the fluidity of a piece, transforming it into a cumbersome, intricate, and excessively verbose read.

In stark contrast, writing enlivened by the active voice exudes immediacy and enthrallment, with language that is sharp and readily comprehensible.

Yet, overcoming the task of evading passive voice proves to be an arduous feat. Thankfully, a beacon of hope shines upon writers now, as they can access tools such as a passive to active voice converter. This free and invaluable resource diligently unearths passive sentences and can transform them into their active counterparts, sparing you the burden of the task.

Grammarly

Throughout the annals of time, the faithful companionship of grammar and spell checkers has been etched into the fabric of writing. In the early days, when word processors emerged, these vigilant sentinels would swiftly hoist the flag of correction whenever a misspelled word dared to rear its head, proffering helpful suggestions to set things right.

Behind the scenes, the mechanics governing these diligent tools are rather straightforward—an integration with a vast dictionary ensures that any wayward word is promptly caught in the spotlight.

Imagine, for a moment, a scenario where you type a word that you’ve only ever heard spoken aloud. Your rendition of it may deviate so extravagantly from the correct spelling that the poor spell checker, struggling to unravel your intended meaning, finds itself in a state of bewilderment.

But fear not, for the tides have turned! Present-day writing tools like Grammarly have made immense strides in grasping context. They offer free companionship, effortlessly melding with your web browser or word processor.

These tireless aides diligently flag any misspelled words as you type, and its more advanced packages can propose ingenious remedies, such as restructuring sentences to enhance the overall clarity of your prose.

Hemingway

In the book of literary guidance, “On Writing,” Stephen King passionately implores fellow writers to tread carefully when using an excess of adverbs and adjectives throughout their work. The crux of his advice lies in preserving a laser-like precision within the prose, eschewing frivolous and flamboyant descriptions that add little value to the narrative.

Should you find yourself entangled in the web of excessive embellishments, despair not! The solution lies readily at your fingertips with the aid of ingenious online tools. One such marvel is the Hemingway Editor, a remarkable writing tool that comes to your rescue by illuminating those redundant linguistic elements the moment you paste your text into its virtual realm.

Simply paste your text into the online tool and it’ll highlight all adverbs, adjectives and instances of passive voice. This allows you to quickly identify the issues and replace them or rework sentences to remove them, thereby saving you lots of previous time.