As a native English speaker, it was a little bit difficult for me to review Ginger Software. Unlike other spelling and grammar check programs on the market, Ginger is designed to help those that aren’t native speakers of English. The company’s stated mission is “to remove language barriers between people by allowing everyone to communicate in native-level English.”
At this, in my experience, it excels. As someone that has a reasonably good understanding of the English language, I found that Ginger did a great job at making realistic spelling and grammar changes. Its changes to sentence structure were also spot on for the most part.
About Ginger Software
Ginger Software is more of a proofreader than a normal spelling and grammar check like the one that comes with Microsoft Word. It is a little like having someone read over your completed work when you are finished.
In this way, it shines very brightly. Ginger uses a special patent-pending technology that compares your sentences to billions of similar sentences on the Internet to ensure that the semantic meaning and context of the sentences is accurate.
At first, this worried me slightly. I have seen way too many products that have claimed to do this that have failed miserably. I can’t claim to be the most well versed writer of English around, but it is all too easy for me to spot glaring mistakes with most English proofreading programs. Simply put, most programs don’t catch obvious errors. Some of them even rephrase sentences in ways that make them more difficult to understand.
So I was pleasantly surprised when I found that Ginger was able to do this. In fact, it was pretty solid as far as proofreading my own native-level English writing. It caught a few errors that I didn’t catch while proofreading and made a few intelligent sentence suggestions that I incorporated into my finished writing.
I also found it interesting that GingerSoftware.com is based out of Tel Aviv, Israel.
Top Features of GingerSoftware.com
Ginger Software currently provides an array of different products. These products can be used on both mobile devices and computers. Each of them aims to understand the intended meaning of the text input so that changes can be made to make it read more smoothly and naturally.
Perhaps my favorite thing about using Ginger Software is that it can be used seamlessly with a number of different programs. These include Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome. When you download Ginger, it becomes a small, out of the way, and unobtrusive icon in the dashboard of these programs.
Most similar programs require you to copy and paste from Word (for instance) into their program. Changes and edits are then made. Next you copy and paste again back into Word. Ginger does away with this hassle by making changes inside of the program you are working in. This in itself sets GingerSoftware.com apart from the competition.
Ginger Software offers four primary features. These include:
- Grammar Checker – The Ginger Grammar Checker uses the above-mentioned patent-pending technology to correct grammar mistakes and spelling mistakes. It also catches misused words to improve your work just like a human proofreader would. Grammar Checker’s single-click proofreading allows you to improve your English writing while you write. You can learn from your grammar mistakes as you go so you won’t make them again in the future.
- Sentence Rephraser – Ginger’s Sentence Rephraser is another useful tool that they offer. After you are finished writing, the program scans your writing and offers suggestions on your sentences. It shows you synonyms, idioms, and phrases that you might consider using to spice up your writing. Sentence Rephraser also helps you correct English idioms and complete sentence fragments. For those that don’t speak English as their first language, the Sentence Rephraser eliminates the need for writing with a dictionary or thesaurus close at hand.
- Personal Trainer – The Ginger Personal Trainer is designed to help you better understand English while you are writing. In essence, it teaches you to learn English from your own mistakes. This unique tool allows you to practice your English writing online. It then identifies your weak areas in the language and provides you with personalized lessons so that you can improve. Personal Trainer is Ginger’s answer to generic English courses that are often a waste of time.
- Text Reader – Learning to write is only one part of learning a language. Ginger’s Text Reader program allows you to improve your spoken English at the same time that you improve your writing. Text Reader works by reading back your completed text with proper enunciation and native accent (you can select between US and UK English). Listening to the vocalization of your text will help you speak English with more comfort and confidence in the future.
Ginger Software Prices
GingerSoftware.com offers one of the best pricing models that I have seen for the type of software that they provide. Unlike other companies in the same space, Ginger offers their products for a one-time payment. Most others only have monthly rates. This makes Ginger the perfect choice for someone that is actually dedicated to learning the language and wants to make a long-term commitment.
The basic version of Ginger runs for a payment of $4.90 per month, but if you purchase a full-year membership, you pay $3.90 per month.
Ginger also offers a premium version of their software for a $9.40 per month. You get a discounted price of $7.50/month if paid annually. This will net you the premium version of their product.
A free version of Ginger is also offered. However, I am not sure of the difference between this version and the basic version. It might be worth checking out first before making a final purchase.
Excellent Customer Service
Ginger Software excels in the customer service department. First and foremost, their website (GingerSoftware.com) is intuitive and easy to navigate. It is easy to find the information that you are looking for on the website itself. The FAQ and Tutorials page are especially helpful.
Contacting Ginger Software with a question is also relatively easy. Though I couldn’t find a phone support line on their website (they might provide one after you purchase their product), their website does provide a handy contact form that guarantees a quick response.
Final Thoughts on GingerSoftware.com
Learning a new language can be incredibly tough. Even when you have a solid grasp on the language, actually communicating what you want to communicate can be difficult.
This is where Ginger Software comes in. Their spelling and grammar checker enables you to catch writing errors while bettering your English writing at the same time. Furthermore, it is one of the most accurate products of its kind that is offered today, so you can be confident that the changes you are making are correct.
Though Ginger Software isn’t very useful to a Native English speaker like me, it is a great help to those that aren’t native speakers. In fact, there are a number of people that I know that have used Ginger with much success. These acquaintances are all in business and they state that Ginger is essential when writing emails that they need to get right the first time to make a good impression. They even claim that they don’t ever send an email without first running it through Ginger.
Is Ginger the best software of its kind? I’m not sure. I haven’t used enough of them. However, out of all the ones that I have used, it is by far the most accurate and easiest to use. And when you factor in its affordability and the number of different features provided, it is easy to see why GingerSoftware.com is an industry leader.