Dictionary and Thesaurus software

The spelling and grammar checker in MS Word and in Open Office Writer's Spellcheck can help you produce fewer errors in your text, and can help you find the exact word we are looking for. A standard spell-checker, however, will only tell you if the word you have written is spelt correctly, it will not tell you the meaning of the word, or how it can be used in context.

Similarly, a thesaurus is often only really helpful if you are given the meanings of the alternative words you are offered.

Many well-known dictionaries are also available in software form and can be excellent resources when using a computer to write. Although they do not usually have the ability to have all words and their definitions spoken back.