How to Use Grammarly

Updated · Mar 06, 2023

Grammarly is the internet’s favorite editor. From weeding out spelling mistakes to improving your phrasing, it’s an excellent tool for all types of writing.

In this article, I will show you how to use Grammarly across all your apps and devices. We’ll cover the Grammarly online editor, app, extensions, and everything else you need to know about it.

What Does Grammarly Do?

Grammarly is an online grammar check tool that also covers style, tone, and clarity.

The Grammarly check will notice formal grammar issues, as well as excessive passive voice, poor phrasing, wordy sentences, and more. It provides real-time suggestions to improve your text and works across different platforms.

How to Use Grammarly in Word?

The Grammarly editor is much more robust than the native Microsoft spell-check.

Yes, Grammarly does notice grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. However, it also helps you improve your style and write more clearly to produce clean, convincing pieces.

Besides, adding Grammarly to Word is very simple. Here is how to do it:

Installation

There is a dedicated Grammarly app for Microsoft Word and Outlook.

To install Grammarly for Word on a Windows computer:

You can download only Grammarly for Word, Grammarly for Outlook, or both.

Once the installer is done, Grammarly will appear among your Microsoft apps. To launch it, just open Word. If you have the program already open, you’ll have to restart it (but not the computer) first.

But what about Mac computers?

If you’re using Word on your Mac OS, here is how to get the Grammarly add-on:

  • Open Microsoft Word.
  • Go to the Insert menu.
  • Choose Get Add-ins or Store.
  • Type Grammarly into the search field.
  • Once you find the listing, click Add.

This adds the Grammarly tab to Word—now you can use it as a grammar corrector on all of your documents.

Settings

Now that you have the app installed, here’s how to enable Grammarly in Word.

First, open a new document. After the installation, the add-in appears automatically.

Look at the top menu—you’ll find the Grammarly tab there. Click the Enable Grammarly button to start seeing real-time suggestions in your Word documents.

An Open Grammarly button will appear—once you click it, you get the Grammarly sidebar. Here, you can set goals for your writing, pick the type of errors you want the sentence checker to look for, turn the plagiarism checker on and off, etc.

Usage

Using Grammarly in Word is completely fuss-free. Whenever you’re writing something, just turn on the checker, and you’ll see suggestions in the sidebar.

You can turn on specific checks or get grammar and style tips alike. Recently, Grammarly added a human proofreading option. You can submit orders within the add-on—just click “Get Expert Writing Help.”

You do need an Internet connection to use Grammarly for Word and Outlook, but other than that, it’s quick, simple, and very accurate.

How to Use Grammarly in Google Docs?

Google Docs has its own spell-checker, but it’s not nearly as comprehensive as Grammarly.

Up until late 2020, Grammarly for Google Docs was a premium-user-only beta feature. Now it’s available for everyone—free and paid users alike. Here is how to get started:

Installation

Unlike the Word app, Grammarly doesn’t have a dedicated Google Docs program. Instead, you get the Grammarly Editor for Chrome and it automatically adds suggestions into Google Docs.

Settings

Once you have the Chrome extension, open any Google Docs document. You will see the icon in the bottom right corner.

The Grammarly check is always running, but you’ll only see the suggestions if you click on the icon. You can also adjust your text goals from the sidebar.

Look for the bullseye icon in the top right corner and tailor the edits to your audience, formality, domain, tone, and intent.

Usage

While the Grammarly spell check works well enough in Google Docs, it’s not without the occasional glitches. As a veteran user, I’ve noticed these problems more frequently here than they appear in the Grammarly online text editor.

I also don’t recommend having the sidebar open as you type. The real-time feedback would be nice if it didn’t cause the entire program to freeze—this happens especially often with unstable internet connections.

Ultimately, this is a beta version, so some issues are expected. The Grammarly proofreader is still super handy—for instance, it’s a neat way to check for passive voice in Google Docs.

How to Use Grammarly on Chrome?

The Grammarly Chrome extension opens the doors to most of Grammarly’s capabilities. It proofreads your texts wherever you write online.

From emails to your boss to Facebook posts (more on those later), it’s the best grammar checker for improving your writing online. This is how to get Grammarly to follow you around on the Internet:

Installation

To get the Grammarly add-on, go to the Chrome Web Store and choose Extensions. Type “Grammarly” into the search bar to find the app listing.

To install Grammarly, open the listing and click “Add to Chrome.” The process will take a few seconds and you’ll be able to use the grammar checker online everywhere.

Settings

Once you get the extension, you’ll see the Grammarly icon in the top bar. Click on it to set up:

  • Google Docs checks—do you want Grammarly to check your documents automatically or not?
  • Double-click definitions—click any word on any site and Grammarly will show you a definition.
  • Automatic spelling correction—if Grammarly notices any misspelled words, it will change them immediately.
  • Language preference—the correct grammar choice might vary between American, Australian, and British English; set it up here.

The definitions and auto spell corrections are only available with the premium Grammarly subscription.

You can also open a new document by clicking the bottom left button. This takes you to the app.grammarly online editor and automatically starts a new file there.

Usage

With the Chrome extension, Grammarly checks everything you type online.

As long as the field is over 38px in height, the English grammar checker will automatically start reviewing your writing. If you write in multiple languages, Grammarly will only check English texts.

To see the errors that need fixing, find the Assistant icon on the bottom right and click on it. The suggestions will be underlined and an explanation will appear in the sidebar. To accept the correction, simply click on it.

Is Grammarly safe to use on Chrome?

Yes, it sure is.

Even though it checks all text fields, Grammarly is not a keylogger program. It won’t record any passwords or sensitive information—it will simply help you become a better writer.

How to Use the Grammarly Desktop App?

Apart from the browser extension and the website grammar checker online, Grammarly also has a desktop app. Here is how to get it and start using it:

Installation

First, go to Grammarly.com to download the app. It’s available for Windows and Mac computers, but there isn’t a native app for Linux.

Grammarly will automatically offer the download for your device. Once you get the .exe file, just run the installation wizard and you’re all set.

Settings

The initial app setup is super quick with the auto-installer.

But there is another cool thing that the app can do:

With the desktop version, you can set up your profile with preferences and a personalized dictionary. For instance, I set my Grammarly dictionary not to flag some foreign words I use to minimize inaccurate suggestions and save time when editing.

Usage

The Grammarly native app does the exact same thing as the online editor and the browser extension. You can drag and drop your documents for a  spelling and grammar check, as well as style suggestions for premium users.

The program updates automatically—this way, you always have the latest version.

How to Use Grammarly on Mobile?

The Grammarly Keyboard app will check the text you type on your mobile—and it’s free to download and start using. Here is how to use Grammarly on your phone or tablet:

Installation

To get started, just go to the Google Play store or App Store and download the Grammarly app. It’s free to install and doesn’t take up a lot of space.

Settings

When you first open the app, you’ll see the Grammarly login page. If you already have a profile, enter your credentials. If not, you can sign up with your email, Google, or Facebook account.

Now it’s time to turn on the checks.

The Grammarly app is a virtual keyboard, so tap Add Grammarly Keyboard and toggle the switch next to Grammarly to on. Then, find the Switch Input Methods options and check the box next to Grammarly.

Click “Got it” and you’re all set. Now Grammarly will look out for you when you’re writing on the go.

Usage

Once you have Grammarly, the keyboard will automatically detect errors and suggest improvements no matter where you’re typing.

Common typos and obvious errors (like typing “eror’” instead of “error,” for example) will get corrected automatically. Most grammar issues appear as suggestions—e.g., changing the verb tense, using a different proposition, or using the correct pronoun.

Grammarly’s mobile proofreading doesn’t cover as many language issues as the desktop version or the browser extension, but it’s still one of the most comprehensive mobile grammar checkers I’ve tested. Plus, it’s free, so there is no reason not to try it out.

How to Use Grammarly on Facebook?

To get Grammarly for Facebook, just download the browser extension. The text boxes on social media are just like any other typing field online—Grammarly will check them automatically. The Grammarly keyboard does the same on your mobile.

Is Grammarly Accurate?

Short answer:

Yes, it is.

Of course, Grammarly isn’t as good as human proofreading, but a professional grammar check isn’t always an option. You won’t hire a proofreader to check your emails and social media posts, right?

Both the free grammar check and the style suggestions are accurate and handy. Many editors even use them in their workflow.

Think about it:

How does Grammarly work?

It has thousands of common errors coded in—the editor runs your text to see if it can find any. It won’t be as detailed as a human proofreader, but it still cleans up your writing from the majority of issues it may have.

To learn more, check out our dedicated Grammarly review. It covers accuracy but also answers questions like:

  • How much is Grammarly Premium?
  • What are the differences between the free and paid version?
  • Is Grammarly Premium worth it?
  • … and more

Final Thoughts

Grammarly has come a long way from its early days as an online editor. If you’re wondering:

Does Grammarly work with ?

The answer is likely yes.

Grammarly is compatible with popular word processors like Word and Google Docs. It has a native desktop program, a mobile app, and a browser extension, which checks anything you write online.

Some of the tools are only available to premium users, but the Grammarly pricing is more than fair—especially since this is such a versatile and accurate editing tool.

FAQ
How Do I Use Grammarly on Chrome?
Just get the browser extension. You’ll find it in the Chrome Web Store by typing Grammarly in the search bar. Then, click “Add to Chrome” and it will get installed automatically.
How Can I Use Grammarly for Free?
You can get the Grammarly free extension, use the online editor, or download the Grammarly free full-version app to keep your writing clean and correct across devices.
Is Grammarly Worth It?

The Grammarly Premium price is on the costly end, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. With a browser extension, online editor, desktop and mobile apps, as well as Grammarly for Word, it’s very versatile and super robust. If you’re serious about becoming a better writer or a better editor, these will be the essential apps in your toolbox. There are alternatives, of course, that are more affordable. Ginger is one of them but the lower price comes with slightly more limited functionality too.

Is Grammarly Illegal to Use?
No, Grammarly is perfectly legal. It’s also very safe—Grammarly won’t log your keystrokes or sell your data.
How Do I Know if Grammarly Is Working?
Grammarly provides real-time feedback and suggestions, so look out for underlined phrases. These are the potential errors you need to fix—you can see an explanation in the sidebar. This layout repeats across the app, browser extension, and online editor—even with the occasional lags, it’s not hard to know if Grammarly is working.
Is Grammarly Easy to Use?
Yes, Grammarly is one of the easiest grammar checkers we’ve tried. There are plenty of tutorials on how to use Grammarly too. You’re reading one of them!
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Denny Pencheva
Denny Pencheva

Denny is a content marketing enthusiast, writer, and occasional tech geek. She also studies Medicine, sometimes.