Grammarly is an AI writing assistant that checks your writing as you type: in emails, documents, social media, and almost anywhere else. It’s one of the most widely used AI tools in the world, especially by people writing in English as a second language.
What does Grammarly do?
- Fixes spelling and grammar mistakes, underlining them as you type.
- Improves clarity: suggests shorter, clearer sentences.
- Checks your tone: tells you if your message sounds friendly, confident, or too harsh.
- Rewrites with AI: select a paragraph and ask it to make it more formal, shorter, or more persuasive.
- Drafts from scratch: describe what you need and it writes a first version.
Where does it work?
Grammarly works as a browser extension (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox), a desktop app for Windows and Mac, and a keyboard app for phones. It also works inside Microsoft Word and Google Docs. The idea is that it follows you wherever you write.
Is Grammarly free?
Yes. The free version fixes spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and includes some AI help. The paid version adds advanced style suggestions, full-sentence rewrites, and more AI features. Check the website for current prices.
How to get started
- Go to grammarly.com and sign up for free.
- Install the browser extension or the desktop app.
- Start writing an email as usual. Grammarly underlines anything it suggests changing.
- Click an underlined word to see the suggestion and accept it with one click.
Who is it great for?
- People writing in English as a second language
- Job seekers polishing CVs and cover letters
- Students writing essays
- Anyone who wants to avoid embarrassing typos in work emails
Things to watch out for
- Grammarly reads what you type in order to check it. Many companies allow it, but check your workplace rules for confidential documents.
- Don’t accept every suggestion blindly. Sometimes your original sentence is better.
- Many schools have rules about using AI to write essays. Fixing grammar is usually fine; letting AI write the whole thing may not be.
The bottom line
Grammarly is one of the easiest AI tools to start using, because it works quietly in the background of what you already do. Install the free version and you’ll immediately write cleaner emails.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grammarly free?
Yes. The free version fixes spelling, grammar, and punctuation and includes some AI help. The paid version adds advanced style and rewriting features.
Does Grammarly work in Microsoft Word and Gmail?
Yes. Grammarly works in Word, Google Docs, Gmail, and most websites through its browser extension and desktop app.
Is using Grammarly cheating?
Fixing spelling and grammar is widely accepted. Letting AI write a whole school essay may break your school’s rules, so check them first.