Grammarly has been around since 2009. Built by linguists and engineers, who developed algorithms to detect patterns of good writing, it’s a sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) system that has continuously improved over time.
According to its AI system, every sentence is reviewed and correcting errors is found when they occur using appropriate replacements. This program is cloud-based. Both the web and integrated versions for Microsoft Word are also available.
Different Grammarly versions
Microsoft Word and Outlook come with Grammarly’s grammar- and spelling-checker via the Grammarly Plug in for Microsoft Office. Grammarly will automatically open in Word once you’ve downloaded and installed it. Click “Check” and Grammarly will apply the style that you have selected.
Grammarly: The pros and cons
Even the most scathing of critics can’t find too many flaws in Grammarly’s product. You get what you pay for, even though it provides excellent support.
It’s highly accurate.
It works with iOS, Windows and Mac.
Grammarly’s entire feature list isn’t included in the free edition.
Pros Explained
It’s very accurate: This product can do anything you ask.
It supports Mac, Windows and iOS devices. To get an instant feel for your emails and texts, you can use it from your phone.
Con Explained
Grammarly’s full features are not available in the free edition. You will need to purchase a premium version if Grammarly is to do heavy lifting.
How Much Does Grammarly Cost?
Grammarly can be tried for free by copying and pasting text to a box located on the website. It will then be added to Chrome for free. You can also try Grammarly for free for seven days before purchasing the paid version.
Grammarly is available on a subscription basis with both monthly and annual plans available. The cost for the Grammarly full version paid app is dependent upon how long you have a subscription.
Monthly Subscription plan: $29.95/month
Quarterly Subscription Plan: $59.95 per quarter
Annual Plan: $139.95 annually
How does Grammarly Work?
Grammarly can also be added to your browser’s extension or directly on its website. Either way, you can create your document immediately or copy and paste text from other sources into the text editor to be reviewed. Grammarly extensions and Grammarly websites provide a text editor which allows you to input content. An automated editor will then highlight any spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes. The editor will provide explanations and suggestions as to how you can fix the errors.
What’s the difference between Grammarly and Cheating?
Grammarly’s origin story provides the key to the answer. The anti-plagiarism industry is where the roots of Grammarly’s online tool are.
According to The Stock Dork, “Ukrainian co-founders Alex Shevchenko and Max Lytvyn started Grammarly in 2009.” The development of Grammarly began with the co-founders’ 2004 plagiarism detection start-up called MyDropbox. This software was licensed by universities and sold in 2007. This sale provided funding for the development of the browser extension we know today.” This initial source of revenue makes Grammarly more akin to something like plagiarism detection leader turnitin.com, than to custom cheating services like writemypaper4me. Grammarly’s suite serves more as an advisor than a laborer delegated to you, true to its roots.
Grammarly can be used to improve your writing. However, it will not provide the substance of the writing. That’s still your job.” – AcademicInfluence.com At its heart, Grammarly is a utility that you can use to improve your writing, but it won’t provide you with the substance at the heart of this writing. You still have to do that. And that’s what separates Grammarly from the rather larger online market of cheating services. Except where it is explicitly prohibited by law, editorial support is encouraged or at least should be in schools.
The Office of Academic Integrity, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, offers a helpful summary on editorial assistance. It states that it is permissible to hire an editor to assist with course and capstone work. This includes support with spelling, grammar and punctuation as well as clarity and alternative phrasing. All of these inputs are acceptable.
Johns Hopkins says substantive modifications include the creation of new sentences that introduce new information, the rewriting of content to introduce new material, adding or deleting reference references or any other modification that alters the meaning or purpose of what you have written in a material manner.
Grammarly is recommended for students
Grammarly’s internal research has shown that 75% of users fear being misunderstood. This is a strong incentive to use its services. It’s the only thing Grammarly customers and contract cheating customers have in common. They are both contending with a real and palpable fear. Both are plagued by language and writing problems at every level of education. They even reach alarming levels at the top of the ivory tower.
There are many methods to conquer this fear. Hiring a cheating service is certainly one way. But Grammarly presents a far more advisable way to manage the fear, and possibly even to vanquish it.
Grammarly, should educators use it?
This puts us in the solid camp of Grammarly advocates, not only for students, but also for educators, especially those working in higher-education. We are assuming that you don’t have the energy, time or desire to correct punctuation and learn the basics of grammar at this level of instruction. These are skills students should know before going to university.
Unfortunately, many don’t. This means that many students do not have the ability to access Grammarly unless they are grading compositional abilities. Grammarly should become a mandatory part in the writing process for students who show a need.
To return briefly to the business of contract cheating, it’s clear to anybody in this illicit sector that the client base is made up primarily of those who demonstrate such a need, whether because English is a second language, or because they simply lack the necessary academic tools to write. Regardless of the reason, colleges don’t teach writing. Writing is a building block skill. Students are supposed to have mastered this skill before reaching a level of education where deeper thinking is required. Many students resort too much to contract cheating, despite not having the necessary academic skills.
The Key Takeaways
Grammarly is a well-known online grammar checker that’s been available since 2009.
It is able to accommodate academic writing, business writing, and creative writing.
Grammarly can tag anything, from unwieldy sentences and spelling mistakes.
Grammarly can be used for free but only the paid version will allow you to access all its features.