What spell check or grammar checker do you use for your writing?

I use the grammar checker in Word and WordPerfect (I use both programs). I set up the grammar checker in both to scan for the things I know I tend to do. They've been helpful, especially at spotting passive sentences and things like that. What I'd really like to get my hands on is a cliche finder. There are some more sophisticated pieces of software out that I'd like to try, but they cost money. And I'm all about the free. A technique I use that helps me bypass the problem of not seeing things is I re-type the piece. It's amazing how much the act of typing gets the brain going again. I also read the piece aloud into a voice recorder, that helps me catch awkward phrasing or missed words. And I always try to give the piece time to rest.

I type in word which has a spell checker though it isn't always accurate. I have been planning to write about the grammar checker thing as well. Pain in the rear sometimes...

I've never used a grammar checker, and all of my writing programs have their own built-in spell checkers. I do all my editing on the computer. One way to overcome the problems of seeing what you expect to see is to set the text up in a different font and a different size. Setting the whole thing up in bold is another way to change it enough that you see mistakes that you might have missed just with a regular read-through. Basically, what you're trying to do is overcome the familiarity of what you're reading. It's sort of like what happens when you post a discussion or comment somewhere on the web, and then when it comes up on the site, you suddenly see the mistakes that you didn't notice when you were writing it.

I use the one in microsoft word.

I don't use a spell checker. I do use the dictionary (the traditional one) for looking up a word when I'm not sure of the spelling. However, I do believe a lot of writers use a spell checker to proofread articles and I'll be happy to use one as long as its free.:-) Also, I've found the MS Word spell check function just about average and not a completely reliable tool.

I just read on another web site and it said to read your work backwards!! It says because your brain is used to the way you write it tends to just skim over your mistakes because it knows what you meant. Try it, it really does seem to work!! Good luck!