WhiteSmoke

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WhiteSmoke

English Grammar Software

WhiteSmoke is known for it's comprehensive grammar software that checks your writing as you go...but that is not all they offer.

At www.whitesmoke.com you will also find free grammar articles and useful tools to help you improve your writing in English.

They even offer a "free online grammar checker" that is similar to the full software.

Here is a short video demonstration of WhiteSmoke:

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WhiteSmoke

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Dec 01, 2010

Whitesmoke Enrichment
by: Diana Tower

Ok, so I am still trying to figure out what I think about Whitesmoke. Is it an imperfect tool to help with your writing or is it just a useless scam to rob you of your money?

Note:I am not actively recommending Whitesmoke.

If you choose to purchase this product from a link on my website then I will recieve a commission but I prefer to provide my thoughts and opinions on the product rather than tell you to buy it.

Today I explore the program's claim to "Patented Text Enrichment".

What does Whitesmoke Enrichment consist of?

Well is starts with the "writing tools" that come available to you when you right click on any word in the text you are correcting.

#1: Thesaurus

Here you can find other words that might be more appropirate or more expressive for your writing. Be careful with this though, because you need to know when a specific word is appropriate or not.

For example, I am checking an email with Writesmoke on my laptop right now, and I right clicked on the word "wrote".

The thesaurus has given me a long list of synonyms but which ones can I use? Well, it depends on the context.

"My doctor wrote me a prescription".

So in this case we wouldn't use copied, scribbled or listed...actually we wouldn't be able to use any of the suggestions from Whitesmoke because in this context we would only say wrote (or possibly gave).

#2 Enrich

This option allows you to add an adverb to "enrich" your writing. In this particular case none of the options that Whitesmoke provides is appropriate (out, clearly, down, successfully).

The only adjectives we could add are ones that describe how the doctor wrote the prescription. He quickly, slowly, reluctantly...wrote the prescription.

#3 How to Use

This is an interesting option. It tells you how the word is normally used. In this case it notes which prepositions are commonly used with the verb "write" (about, on, for).

#4 Define

A quick dictionary reference with the click of a mouse. It provides a definition and an in context example which is useful. I'm not sure if this is easier than using a free online dictionary though.

#5 Web Search

This is a "search Engine" that works to bring you search results from the internet. It is powered by Google so I'm not really sure if this is all that useful. Just open your browser and click on Google yourself.

So Whitesmoke enrichment consists of a thesaurus, dictionary, adjective suggestions and a web search. All of which you can find for free on the internet. Having them all bundled together and available with one click does make it handy though.

Dec 01, 2010

Whitesmoke Software
by: Diana Tower

Have you ever heard of Whitesmoke software?

I wanted to write about it so that you could learn more about this product and receive an honest opinion.

It all started a year ago when I was looking for good products to promote on my website.

Now, the idea (at least what I believe )is that website owners should recommend products that they find useful and of high value to their visitors.

This is what I had in mind when I first discovered the Whitesmoke software. I had seen it advertised on many popular ESL websites and I thought I would download the trial version of the course.

Let me tell you...I hated the trial version.

There were pop up windows every two minutes trying to sell me more products or to upgrade and my computer started running very slowly.

I tried the grammar checker on some articles but I just wasn't impressed. So after a couple of hours I uninstalled the Whitesmoke software and forgot about it.

Fast forward to a month ago.

I saw the Whitesmoke software again while on the web. For some reason I thought, maybe the new version would be different started doing some research.

I joined the affiliate program and the affiliate program manager offered me a "review copy" of the software so I could test drive it.

What do I think?

Ok...as a native English speaker, I was disappointed.

It missed many mistakes (from my student's writing) and it also made incorrect suggestions.

It made me realize that ESL learners would be correcting some mistakes, missing others and then also adding new mistakes to their writing from the incorrect suggestions from the program.

It is strange really because part of me thinks that the whitesmoke software is a good idea. My student Carmen liked it and thinks it is a great way to remove a couple of mistakes.

The other part of me things that it is too expensive. For that price ($149) I believe it should correct all your mistakes.

Maybe my expectations are too high. I mean, MS Word grammar/spell check does not always correct my mistakes and it also suggests things that are not always correct.

Why doesn't that bother me?

Maybe because it is free with MS Word...

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