Tips for BonPatron, Antidote, LanguageTool, Reverso
Antidote: Antidote is powerful spelling and grammar correction software built specifically for French. It integrates with MS Word but can also be used alone. Antidote works with built-in grammar and vocabulary reference resources, providing users with comprehensive explanations of errors and possible corrections. Because Antidote is made for French speakers, the interface and reference works are entirely in French, making Antidote an especially good choice for advanced students.
Languages supported: French only.
Strengths: Along with grammar correction, Antidote offers more comprehensive stylistic and diction guidance, which makes it a great resource for improving the quality of written work beyond simple error checking.
Weaknesses: Antidote is available only on the Language Lab computers.
Reverso: Reverso is another online grammar and spelling correction tool. Explanation for corrections are in the language itself, so this tool might be best for advanced learners.
Languages supported: French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, and Japanese.
Strengths: Several tools, and many languages to choose from.
Weaknesses: Reverso has a limit of 2,000 characters (about 250 words).It also lacks the linguistic references available in both Antidote and Bon Patron.
BonPatron: BonPatron is an online grammar and spelling correction tool similar to Antidote. Because it’s available anywhere, it’s a handy alternative to Antidote, but it lacks the comprehensive resources available in Antidote. Suggestions and guides are available in English as well as French, making this a good choice for students just beginning French composition as well as intermediate learners.
Languages supported: French only.
Strengths: Bon Patron is very user friendly, making it a good choice for beginners. It also doesn’t provide the correct answer, but rather tells you what about the current construction is incorrect, so that you become better at identifying your own errors rather than simply replacing them with the correct answer.
Weaknesses: The free version of the site has a limit of 2,000 characters (about 250 words). Only available for French.
LanguageTool: LanguageTool is another web-based grammar tool, useful for correcting texts in French or for checking your spelling, etc.
Strengths: LanguageTool is much more powerful than BonPatron and Reverso, allowing 20,000 characters (about 2,500 words). It also allows for correction of different dialects/regions, e.g., Swiss and Austrian German, or Brazilian vs Portugal Portuguese.
Weaknesses: Grammatical explanations are only provided in the target language, for example French or German.
Tips/tricks: LanguageTool also has a useful Google Chrome extension and a Google Docs add-on, which allow the user to correct text while typing online or in a Doc.