In your search to find a reliable online text checker, have you considered Grammarly? Would you like a more clear overview of the Grammarly features?
Then, you’ll want to hear more about the four benefits of using the best free online grammar checker, Grammarly. Read on!
Table of Contents
Grammarly Review Revisited
Not too long ago, I posted my candid thoughts in a review of Grammarly and briefly covered the pros and cons of the grammar checker.
But, I didn’t go in-depth about the grammar checker app nor cover the Grammarly features including the huge reason why you’d want to invest more in the Grammarly premium features.
After all, it’s not enough to cover the features with a blanketed statement of how you get more features in the premium version versus the free version.
And, it’d be rather unfair to say the free version isn’t adequate enough on its own. Both are fantastic in their own right and can serve a purpose based on your writing goals.
Also, it should be noted how Grammarly upgraded some of its features and gave the user dashboard a bit of a facelift over the past year.
This came at no additional cost to the users regardless of free or premium access.
The Features of Grammarly
Let’s take a look at four ways to access the Grammarly app, some of Grammarly features and what you get for the price of admission.
If you haven’t done so already, I highly recommend opening at least a free account to follow along with this Grammarly tutorial.
Simply head to our affiliate link at SelfPublishingWithDale.com/Grammarly to open your free or premium account right away.
Grammarly Features #1: The Website
Access to the Grammarly website is available for both free and premium members. The main perk for holding a Grammarly membership is the account doubles as a remedial cloud drive.
Grammarly limits uploaded file size up to:
- 4MB
- 60 pages
- 100,000 characters including spaces
And, Grammarly accepts most any document type including:
- .doc
- .docx
- .odt
- .txt
- .rtf
When you finish editing your document, you can then export it to your originally uploaded document type.
Keep in mind, Grammarly does not store relevant document data like images, headers, footers, and page breaks.
So, if you import a full-formatted document, you’ll lose the formatting after exporting from Grammarly.
Editing with Grammarly from their site can be tedious if you’re editing a larger document and want to retain formatting.
This is where the premium features come in handy that I’ll discuss later.
Grammarly Features #2: The Desktop App
This relatively new feature provides the same neat features you’ve come to expect from the website version of Grammarly.
Are you someone easily distracted by the internet? Do you need a shortcut to get you right into your Grammarly dashboard? Then, the desktop app is for you!
All you have to do is log into your Grammarly account and select the Apps option in the menu on the left.
- In the third option, click the Install hyperlink of Grammarly for Windows. Keep in mind, if you’re a Mac user, then it’ll say Grammarly for MacOS.
- Once the program file downloads, simply install it by double-clicking on the icon. The Grammarly program will open and walk you through a brief tutorial.
- Click the “Get Started” button after you’re through.
- You’ll need to log-in to access your Grammarly account dashboard. Then, you get the same cool features without the normal distractions of the internet.
Regardless of accessing your account from your desktop or the website, you’ll still get the same documents and projects in the order you’ve uploaded them.
Grammarly Features #3: The Chrome Extension
The Chrome extension is by far my favorite Grammarly feature and is available for both free and premium members.
With the Grammarly Chrome extension, you can check your spelling and grammar on:
- Gmail
- Tumblr
- YouTube
- And, nearly everywhere else you write on the web
To install the free internet browser extension:
- Simply log into your Grammarly account
- Select the apps option on the left side panel.
- Click the install hyperlink in the Grammarly for Chrome option at the top. You’ll be redirected to the Chrome Web Store where you can add Grammarly for Chrome to your browser.
- Simply click the “Add to Chrome” button, confirm your selection by selecting the “Add extension” in the pop-up window and then, you’ll be redirected to the confirmation page.
- Now, click the Grammarly Chrome Extension icon in the top right corner of the browser. A drop-down menu will appear with a few options.
Grammarly on Chrome Features
The first option is the “Check Grammar and Spelling on Grammarly.com.” If it’s green, then Grammarly is on. If it’s gray, then the plug-in is off.
Every now and then, you’ll have to log-in if you clear your browser history or log out of Grammarly.
The next option is the “show Definitions and Synonyms via Double clicks (All Sites)” switch. This is a nifty feature you can use when you don’t know a word or need to change up word usage.
After the switches, you can select the dialect you write including American English, British English, Australian English or Canadian English.
Should You Upgrade to Grammarly Premium?
If you have a free Grammarly account, then you’ll see a prompt on how many issues are currently unresolved due to having the free version.
Does this make a difference? Well, this depends largely on your writing goals. If you simply want to have more readable social media posts, then the free version is sufficient.
However, if you are wanting a deeper edit and manuscript clean-up, then the premium version is your solution.
Try the free version first and then upgrade to the premium model once you find it useful for your needs.
Just a small note, every now and then, Grammarly for Chrome does get a bit wonky.
I’d recommend you refresh the page or toggle the on/off switch in the Chrome extension for Grammarly.
And, the browser extension doesn’t work with every site all the time.
I’ve found some issues with the Grammarly for Chrome feature working in harmony with my TubeBuddy for Chrome extension on YouTube.
You may have to shut off one extension or the other for Grammarly for Chrome to work properly.
Grammarly Features #4: Microsoft Word
Do you want zero distraction from the internet? And, would you like to keep your formatting in your document? Then, you’ll love this last feature for Grammarly for Microsoft Office.
In my original Grammarly Review video, I expressed my displeasure with the lack of Mac support, but I’ve since acquired a PC, so I’m able to use this option now.
This option is, by far, the best solution by Grammarly for your editing needs and cuts a lot of time out of importing and exporting documents via their site, desktop app, or browser plug-in.
And, something Grammarly recently added was support for Microsoft Outlook. I haven’t used this option since I’m not an Outlook user.
But, if the Grammarly for Outlook features function as well as the Grammarly for Word option, then you’ll be in for a treat.
How to Install Grammarly for Microsoft Office
To get Grammarly for Microsoft Office, log into your account and select the “Apps” option in the left side panel. Then, click the “Install” hyperlink in the “Grammarly for Microsoft Office” box.
Once the file downloads, double-click the file to install it. Select the “Get Started” button and then tick the box for the options you want.
You’ll see I deselected Grammarly for Outlook. Feel free to choose that option and let me know your thoughts on how well Grammarly works with Outlook.
- Click the install button
- Log into your Grammarly account
- Once you’re set, click the “Finish” button.
- Now open Microsoft Word.
- Select a document or start a new one.
You’ll see the “Open Grammarly” option in the top right of the “Home” tab. Or, you can select the “Grammarly” tab next to the “Search” feature.
Grammarly will remind you that the undo feature of CTRL and Z is not available when Grammarly is on. It really sucks not having this option since I use it quite a bit.
But, I’ve gotten used to this unavailable option and am much more careful about corrections I make with the Grammarly program.
Based on the Grammarly membership you have, you’ll see a number of tabs within the Grammarly option.
You’ll notice a red number next to the tab that needs corrections and a green check mark next to the tab that needs no corrections.
The Premium Grammarly Features
For Grammarly premium users, you can select the type of document you’re creating which includes:
- The general default
- 9 types of academic writing
- 8 types of business writing
- 4 types of technical writing
- 3 types of medical writing
- 5 types of creative writing
- And, 3 types of casual writing
The red and green icons will change according to the type of editing you select. Corrections are necessary for some types of writing whereas unessential in others.
If there is neither a red or green icon on the tab, then this option is not active.
You’ll want to select the option to turn it on.
In a previous post, I discussed the last option of the plagiarism checker. This option is only available for premium Grammarly subscribers.
And, if you hire freelance writers for work, then this tool is a must-have. When you select the option, it’ll most certainly have the red number icon on it.
You’ll be able to see where the source is found online. In most instances, the detected plagiarism might be a commonly used statement or phrase.
I’d recommend clicking the cited source and see what is considered plagiarism.
Grammarly Simplified
In the event, you feel a bit overwhelmed by all the options in Grammarly for Word, select the view tour option and it’ll walk you through everything step-by-step.
And, if you’re still a bit stumped, select the “Open FAQ” option in the “Help” tab to access the Grammarly Support page online.
Now you see why I’m such a huge fan of the Grammarly grammar checker app.
I appreciate the app for how it optimizes my work process and allows me more time to focus on other areas of my business.
Rather than editing for hours at a time only to discover I still have mistakes, I can run my text through the Grammarly app and be done with it.
Is it perfect? No. Is Grammarly an adequate replacement for a human editor? Absolutely not.
But, I can assure you, your editor will appreciate you cleaning up your document before sending it.
And, if you aren’t needing Grammarly for writing or publishing a book and just want to use it for everyday online activity, then this is your app still.
Sure, the premium access might be a bit much, but you’ll learn a lot about your writing proficiency with this neat little app regardless of your membership level.
Hey, if you’re interested in setting up an account with Grammarly, go to our affiliate link at SelfPublishingWithDale.com/Grammarly to get started today.