Producing error-free writing is critical, whether for school, work, or personal projects. However, it can be challenging to catch all your spelling mistakes and grammar errors. This is where automated spelling and grammar checker tools come in handy.
While Microsoft Word and Grammarly are popular choices on Windows and Mac, they are not available natively on Linux. Fortunately, some great open-source alternatives exist specifically for Linux.
Here are 6 of the top spelling and grammar checkers for Linux distributions:
1. LanguageTool
LanguageTool is an open-source proofreading tool for English, French, German, Spanish, and more than 20 other languages. It can be used to check text documents, web pages, and other formats.
Some key features of LanguageTool include:
Checking for grammar, style, spelling, and punctuation errors
Ability to detect plagiarism
Personalized vocabulary via word lists
Customization of grammar and spell-checking rules
Available as an online editor, MS Word/LibreOffice extension, and Java command line version
To install on Linux:
sudo snap install languagetool
LanguageTool offers advanced grammar and style-checking capabilities in a customizable package. It's an excellent multi-purpose proofreading tool.
2. After the Deadline
After the Deadline (AtD) is an open-source spell, style, and grammar checker plugin for Linux. It integrates seamlessly with your word processor.
Core features include:
Checking for misspellings, grammar mistakes, and style errors
Intelligent suggestions for fixing problems
Support for multiple languages beyond English
Integrates with text editors like Vim, Emacs, CKEditor, and more
Lightweight and fast processing of text
To install AtD on Linux:
sudo apt install aftermath
AtD is designed specifically for software developers and writers who use plain text editors. It delivers quick grammar and spell checking without the overhead of heavy office suites.
3. Grammalecte
Grammalecte is an open-source grammar and spell checker designed for the French language. It can process text documents and websites.
Some useful features:
Checks for spelling, grammar, and typographic errors
Supports advanced grammar like conjugation of verbs
Customizable for regional French dialects and styles
Command line and GUI versions available
Integrates with LibreOffice and Firefox/Thunderbird
To install on Linux:
sudo pip install grammalecte
For francophones, Grammalecte is an indispensable tool for writing proficiently in French on Linux systems.
4. Code Spell Checker
The Code Spell Checker focuses on finding and fixing common misspellings in source code and text files. It's designed for developers and writers.
Key features include:
Catches hard-to-find spelling mistakes
Whitelist functionality to ignore known terms
Fast checking optimized for large codebases
Handles text files, markup, documentation, etc
Easy to add new misspelled words and fixes
To install on Linux:
sudo apt install codespell
For writing error-free source code or technical documentation, Code Spell Checker is an invaluable tool.
5. Style and Diction
Style and Diction is a utility that analyzes writing style and language usage in text documents.
It looks for issues like:
Overly complex words and sentences
Use of cliches, redundancies, buzzwords
Readability metrics and ease of understanding
Questionable grammar and punctuation
Variety of vocabulary and diction
To install on Linux:
sudo apt install diction
For improving overall writing quality and readability, Style and Diction provides helpful diagnostics and metrics.
6. txtproof
txtproof is a lightweight command line tool for spellchecking plain text files.
Features include:
Checking for spelling and grammar errors
Line-by-line analysis
Handling txt, LaTeX, HTML, Markdown, and reStructuredText formats
Support for British and American English
Easy-to-read reports
To install on Linux:
sudo pip install txtproof
For quick spellchecking of documentation and notes, txtproof is a simple no-fuss solution.
Conclusion
While Linux lacks official versions of some popular commercial tools like Grammarly and Microsoft Word, it has fantastic open-source alternatives.
Options like LanguageTool, After the Deadline, Grammalecte, and others provide advanced grammar, spellchecking, and style correction capabilities for English and other languages.
For developers and writers working in plain text, utilities like Code Spell Checker and txtproof optimize proofreading workflows.
Take advantage of these spelling and grammar checkers to produce mistake-free documents, code, web pages, and more on your Linux system.