Grammarly Review: Should you use it?

11/11/2018

Grammarly is something I've been aware of for a while, but I kept shrugging off trying it because I had beta readers and an editor. A post on Pinterest about it prompted me to finally sign up after getting curious enough to how it worked.

Now, I've only used the freebie version so far, but I like what it does. The free version checks for basic things like typos, missing words, and punctuation. It is especially good for the kind of typo that is correctly spelled, but the wrong word.

An example would be to, too, or two. We all know those are the bane of writers because our eyes will skim over the mistake and it ends up being a reader to find it.

You can install it on your desktop or use the Chrome extension. With the Chrome extension, it checks your Tweets and Facebook for typos. It also scans your email (at least for Gmail.) I find that useful when I want to send submissions. I don't have to worry about accidental typos or mistakes getting sent to a publication I'm trying to impress and get accepted by. The Chrome extension claims to check for Weebly, but I'm not seeing it. I have to manually copy and paste my text into Grammarly.

It's not a foolproof method, though. I ran Leaves of Fall through it, and for some reason, it kept insisting I change the name Blaire to Claire. It was also confused on exaggerated words. There were also instances where my editor put in a comma, but Grammarly insisted it didn't belong. In those cases, I went with my editor. Err on the side of human.

The biggest downside I've encounter is I can only do 60 pages at a time. For long works, I have to cut it up and upload the bits. That makes it a bit more time-consuming. They promise they're working on it, so we'll see if that changes.

You can pay and get more features for $11.99 per month. It checks proofreading, passive voice, and more. Of course, that's why I hire an editor, too, so I'm not sure it's worth spending the money. If you're looking to send an MS to an agent or publisher, you might want to shell out the $12 so you can send a more polished story and up your chances of getting accepted.

Overall, I'm glad I finally checked it out. I ran a few stories through it, and it located missing words and typos that I, beta readers, and even editors missed. It also flagged when I used British English instead of American English. If you're curious, you can sign up here. (I'll get a small kick back with that link.) If anything, it's worth the free version to catch typos and words our brains skim over because we've read the damn MS a million times and please don't make me read it again!

What about you? Have you tried Grammarly? Is there another program you use to catch those pesky correctly spelled typos or missing words?

9 Comments

Tui Snider link

11/11/2018 10:57:18 am

"There were also instances where my editor put in a coma" - There are times when I want to put my editor in a coma, too, but it definitely stalls the project. ;p

Couldn't resist teasing you on that!

On a more serious note, I haven't tried Grammarly, but it seems like a good tool. I have a pal who swears by it. She still gets her books professionally edited after running her drafts through Grammarly, because as you mention, it has a few kinks that a human editor would find.

But hey, if you're paying your editor by the hour, the more polished draft you can send over the better!

Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine

11/11/2018 11:10:44 am

I guess that right there is a good example of how it's not a perfect tool.

11/11/2018 11:04:57 am

p.s. I just signed up for Grammarly via your link. I'll let you know how it goes!

Nick Wilford link

11/11/2018 01:51:39 pm

Sounds like it has pros and cons. Scanning for typos is definitely a boon, but my gut tells me a human editor is always preferable (plus I don't want to lose my job to a machine, lol). A human sees nuances that a program doesn't. So I think it's probably about using it judiciously, rather than relying on it totally.

Jemima Pett link

11/12/2018 02:57:47 am

I'm not convinced it does much more than anything else included in my systems, and $12 a month is a lot for the extras when you may only be in editing mode for a month or two a year.
I get irritated enough by systems underlining perfectly good words, which leads me to ignore them - and the mistakes too, so human error is still the main problem.
It might be useful to persuade my US editor that my UK English is correct, though. :)

Liz A. link

11/13/2018 09:19:02 am

Since Google stopped scanning my emails for typos, I might have to upload this. But, I wonder at their banner: "Your best writing-assitant online". Oops.

(Which means that there's at least one mistake in my comment. It's an internet rule: those that point out mistakes definitely committed one.)

Kate link

11/13/2018 09:21:06 am

I have it on my computer, but I don't use it a lot. I have other editing tools I like to use to find missing words etc. Have you tried The Hemmingway App? It's pretty good.

Christine Rains

11/13/2018 09:49:26 am

Hm, I may have to give it a try now. I always mix up my British, Canadian, and American English! *LOL* Thanks for sharing.