In part 1 of my Grammarly review, I went over all that is bad and nefarious about the writing assistant. In part 2, I'm going over the good, the golden and the kinda alright.
Skip ahead:
Quick summation for anyone who doesn't feel like reading the whole thing:
9 Cons of using Grammarly
It's expensive. It's expensive (worth saying twice)
It is relatively accurate, but it is not 100% correct.
It often states style choices as facts
It trends towards making all writing sound the same
Limited functionality to attune it to your writing style
The advertising style is very aggressive
Requires internet access to work
It doesn't have SEO functionality
It can be a crutch
9 Pros of using Grammarly
It gives you a sense and your clients a sense of security.
It catches more issues than standard Microsoft spelling and grammar checks.
It's user-friendly and easy to navigate
It comes with add-ons. Microsoft, email, etc.
It does have an "add to dictionary" function
You own your work. Grammarly doesn't
It reduces the editor's workload
Many people like their writers to use Grammarly
It sets up a writer to work with editors
Okay, Let's Talk Grammarly Positives
I've moaned enough about Grammarly to convince any person, dog, or hamster that I loathe the app. I don't. I love it. I honestly think (don't judge me) that without Grammarly, I might never have become a writer. And if I could give the Corporate version of me who wrote project charters and so many minutes that they became hours one gift, it would be Grammarly.
It's A Life Saver For Bad Spellers
I had previously confused the ability to spell every word in the English language with the ability to write. Spelling and the fabulously liberal use of commas do not a writer make— although it helps. I learned to read and write using the phonetic system, which emphasizes how words sound, so my spelling… well, it is a treat. I've gotten better over time, and thankfully I read enough to make my spelling less of a disaster than it otherwise might have been. But the insecurity lives on.
Aren't all writers a massive ball of neurosis? If only I had known earlier how well I would have fit in with the writers club, I would have started writing much sooner. Software like Grammarly is something of a crutch. It gives me the security to just type and not focus too much on the rest. Then, during the second, third, and ninth pass, I can fix any issues, confident that anything I don't catch, well, Grammarly didn't catch it either, so how bad is it really?
Ignoring Grammarly is like turning off the autocorrect in your phone, you know it's wrong all the time, but it also saves you. And if it comes down to it, you can always send a follow-up message saying: "Sorry, autocorrect!" Even when it was you, the lousy speller. Blaming machines for our human failings is a time-honored tradition. And I support any writer who wants to blame Grammarly for their own errors.
Not All Writers Are Editors
I am NOT a copy editor, and I am the last person who should be doing line reads to catch tiny spelling errors or grammar mistakes. I'm always amazed by the reviews on amazon that list off all the grammar errors they spotted. How do they do that? What strange witchcraft is this? I type fast and make mistakes that my brain fixes on the fly for me as I read. In a way, it's a skill, and I don't want to unlearn it because it's great for combing through the vast ocean of information on the internet for research on an article. I can take information without getting stymied by a strangely misplaced word, and it also makes me useless as a copy editor for anyone's work, let alone my own.
The fatigue that sets in when you've written something, rewording and reworking it until you are blue in the face, is real. Then you start editing, and your eyes skim over the content, refusing to take in a word because— for me anyway— my brain is literally bored with me by that point. Here comes Grammarly, charging in on a white horse, the wind in its hair, grammar sword held akimbo to save me. It helps flag issues and brings them to my attention which though they are frequently wrong, are free suggestions.
Grammarly Is Easy To Use
Whoever is managing their User Experience deserves an award and some chocolate. Grammarly is extremely easy to use. It can jump around a bit, and there are definitely some improvements I could recommend (call me), but overall, it's a chef's kiss. No matter how often I use ProWritingAid, I always forget where my documents are stored. Hemmingway app is also straightforward to use, but that may be because its functionality is bare bones. Grammarly sits in the middle, the functionality is low, but it's still useful. The layout is clean, friendly, and polite about its suggestions, and it's only had one total melt down—Bravo, Grammarly team. Side note: it also does me the solid of not removing ALL of my formatting. It removes some, but not all. Unlike other programs, I could and have mentioned. Your right, Grammarly; I do make this look easy, and it's nice of you to notice.
Using Grammarly Prepares You For Working With A Professional Editor
Recently I've been working with a professional editor on my book— Yay for me. I have been dreading it. I worried that I would get all mad and defensive, terrified that I would pick arguments (as I am wont to do) and make my poor editor's life miserable. But it's been… fine. Fun even. And for all I complain about Grammarly, I will wholeheartedly give it all the props it deserves. I have run hundreds of thousands of words through Grammarly. Maybe even millions of words. Slowly scrolling through it, accepting and rejecting its recommendations. I've grown used to it. Dare I even say skilled at it?
Putting my writing through Grammarly and all the other editors used to take me a long time, but it doesn't anymore. I've become adept and making quick decisions, rejecting or accepting with only a fleeting mental debate. Over time I stopped googling every single recommendation it makes; I know which ones are legit and which ones aren't. Working with human editors is obviously different, but I'm much more practiced at it than I would have been if I had never met Grammarly. Thanks, Grammarly.
Grammarly Is A Safety Net
I still want Grammarly Premium (preferably for free). And after much soul searching— read wine and moaning— I have whittled down why. It's the comfort, the invisible AI support. Grammarly is a second pair of eyes that pats me on the head and stops me from making a fool of myself. It's the friend who prevents me from sending off something to a client with a spelling mistake that makes me blush and curse myself as a fool (I'm not a fool, I'm delightful- sometimes).
Grammarly doesn't even work properly, I reject more suggestions that I accept, and those I accept aren't exactly groundbreaking— lots of commas. Grammarly loves comas.
Still, it wraps me in the warm cocoon of comfort. Gives me a hug, protecting me from the big bad world, telling me I'm perfect. That I make "this look easy."
Most importantly, Grammarly is the co-worker I don't have, the one who will take the blame for me. "Ha ha," I can chuckle with feigned mirth, "What a silly spelling error; Grammarly must have done it."
Grammarly Premium Yay or Nay?
What do I think of Grammarly premium? I don't know. It's fine, I guess. It constantly wants to flip sentences around for what seems to be no good reason—often rendering the paragraph incoherent. Sometimes I like a suggestion, it can occasionally improve a paragraph by rearranging sentences. So that's nice. Mostly I find my eyes glazing over at the sheer number of suggestions. If Grammarly suggestions was right more often I might get more out of it.
You can Take Advantage of Specials and Discounts To Get The Best Possible Price
As I was writing this, I took the plunge and bought Grammarly Premium. I got a year's subscription in one go and made sure to use one of those affiliate codes before purchasing. I also spent about an hour scrolling around the internet for the best possible discount. In the end I managed 50% off, which made me happy and then irritated me because it's still overpriced at $72, and I will have to watch with an eagle eye to make sure the threatened $144 doesn't go off automatically in December 2022.
Why I'll Renew Grammarly Premium
I've moaned a lot about the cost. And I still think it's wildly overpriced. WILDLY. But it makes clients feel better. And that's the part that is most worth the cost. They like knowing that I'm using the latest tools. That I'm not sitting next to a candle with a quill and ink pot refusing to acknowledge the passage of time and the useful ways of technology. I like that it gives them comfort.
As I paid for Grammarly in one bulk purchase, I don't have to deal with the money going out of my account every month. I imagine that once my year is up, I will get riled up again. For now, the jury is still out. Grammarly needs to be taken on a case-by-case basis. Got loads of extra money that you're not sure what to do with? Then you'll do worse than buying Grammarly premium. Otherwise, the basic free version is probably good enough for most people.
What Is The Best Thing About Grammarly Premium?
My favorite thing about Grammarly Premium is seeing its premium criticism of my favorite authors. That their wildly popular, fantastic writing is— according to Grammarly, a bit bland. Silly Grammarly, you are wrong, and that makes me happy. Read my more biting critique of Grammarly to find out more. It's really funny seeing great authors being criticize by an overzealous AI.
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