ARCHIVED: In Unix, what commands can I use to grammar-check a text file?

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In Unix, the diction command finds wordy or badly written sentences. To use it, at the shell prompt, enter:

  diction mytextfile | more

Replace mytextfile with the name of the file you're checking.

The output looks similar to the following:

  The bitterness of the hop *[ is used to ]* balance the sweetness
  of the malt, and the essential oils add a flavor/aroma
  *[ which ]* cannot be achieved by any other plant.

  The hop plant is a perennial spiraling vine *[ which ]* will grow
  in almost any climate given enough water and sunlight.

  What are the compounds *[ which ]* provide the bittering?

You can then take the words enclosed in *[ ]* and find a better phrase using the explain command:

  explain
  phrase?
  which
  use ""that" when clause is restrictive" for "which"
  use "when" for "at which time"

At Indiana University, for personal or departmental Linux or Unix systems support, see Get help for Linux or Unix at IU.

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Last modified on 2018-01-18 09:03:07.