For writers who struggle with the difference between which and who, Grammarly can be an excellent tool. However, its aggressive re-marketing campaign can be a turn off for some users.
Additionally, it’s important to note that Grammarly is not a replacement for a human editor. Ultimately, a quality human editor will provide more useful feedback.
1. Grammarly’s re-marketing campaign
Grammarly’s main landing page is a good example of direct response marketing. It is clear and concise, with a simple call-to-action to “Get started free!”. The copy also adds a little tension by suggesting that people are making more mistakes than they realize, and that the program will catch them.
The page also features a video testimonial from a high-profile person, which adds credibility and inspires trust. Additionally, it draws in a lot of traffic from.edu websites, a sign that the company has contacted schools to recommend their product to students.
The first email from Grammarly follows a similar format. It provides a brief overview of the product and highlights the most important features, while also offering a free Premium upgrade to users who have already tried the plugin. This is a smart move to help reduce user churn, since many users stop using the product after the initial trial period. This type of re-engagement can make a significant difference in conversion rates.
2. It’s not a replacement for a human editor
Grammarly is a popular tool that can catch many types of errors and make your writing look polished. It can also help improve your vocabulary, sentence structure, and flow. However, it is not a replacement for a human editor.
A good copy editor can do so much more than catch grammatical mistakes and suggest corrections. They can rework sentences for clarity and brevity, provide a range of wording alternatives, and even point out inconsistencies in your argument.
Moreover, they can also consider the tone of your writing and make sure it fits the audience you’re trying to reach. This is a skill that Grammarly can’t do, which is why it’s not a replacement for a developmental or line editor.
Using Grammarly with Microsoft Word can be an effective way to improve your writing. But, be aware that it can be more limited in its scope than Grammarly Premium. For example, it may not detect the use of personal pronouns in formal writing or warn you that “formulational” is not a valid word.
3. It’s not for everyone
Grammarly is not a replacement for a human editor. It will miss things that only a human can detect, such as how words or phrases are used in context. It will also incorrectly flag certain “errors” that are intentional, such as when authors use dialogue-heavy scenes or creative writing techniques.
Moreover, Grammarly doesn’t always understand technical vocabulary, such as computer company names or common acronyms. It will often underline words like ebook with a red line, even though the word is correct. This can be frustrating for users who are trying to learn new terminology.
Additionally, many users find that Grammarly’s browser extension doesn’t work on Google Docs. This can be a bummer for writers who frequently use this platform. However, there are a few workarounds that can help fix this issue. You can try turning on your mobile hotspot to temporarily enable internet access or use a different browser. Then, you can turn off your hotspot when you’re finished so you don’t run up your data plan.
4. It’s not free
The Premium version of Grammarly costs money, but it might be worth it if you need help with formal documents and emails for work. It underlines grammar mistakes in red and suggests rewrites and fixes for spelling and style. It also detects plagiarism and offers suggestions for proper citations in academic papers and research articles.
It can even identify when you’re using the wrong pronoun, such as “who” for humans and animals and “that” for inanimate objects or things that belong to someone else. It can also distinguish between restrictive and non-restrictive relative pronouns (e.g., “The bike that has a wicker basket belongs to Anna”).
It’s important to remember that Grammarly is not a replacement for a human editor and will not catch every mistake. It will miss some errors that a professional editor would, and it may flag false positives as well. However, it is still an excellent tool for catching a lot of common mistakes and improving your writing.