Writing is difficult, as anyone who’s ever made the attempt can attest. Writing well is even more so. But we needn’t go it alone. There are resources available that not only help us learn the craft but can help us improve our writing skillset.

Grammar-checking applications like Grammarly and ProWritingAid are two tools that are especially helpful. They will scrub your manuscript and point out common errors all writers contend with.

Proper comma usage is one such area that everyone contends with, whether just starting out or old hands at the craft.

Both tools do a good job of identifying those mistakes and suggesting how to correct them. The more you use them, the quicker you are to spot them on your own. But simple grammar isn’t the only thing they offer. They point out overly used words and phrases, redundant sentence patterns, and passive voice. They have training resources you can access as well.

They integrate seamlessly into major word processing applications like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, catching mistakes and offering suggestions as you type. They also can be used with email clients and web applications.

They have different price points, including free versions with limited functionality. You can purchase a monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription to access the full feature set. And with ProWritingAid, you can make a onetime purchase.

They each have their strengths, and the choice of which to use is up to you. I use both, as they catch different things. They don’t always agree with their suggestions, but it’s a simple matter to choose the one you agree with.

We all write for different reasons and for different audiences, but we share one thing in common: we want to write well. And these tools can help us do just that. By offloading the tedious chore of using proper grammar and syntax, we are free to develop our creative voice.