How to Use Grammarly in Word

how to use grammarly in word
by CJ McDaniel // September 5  

For ages, Microsoft Word has been the go-to tool for writers, students, and professionals. However, even the most seasoned writers make mistakes. This is where Grammarly comes in. By integrating Grammarly with Word, you can significantly improve your writing quality. This article will guide you on how to use Grammarly in Word, making your experience smooth and productive.

What is Grammarly?

Before diving into the how-to, it’s essential to understand what Grammarly is. Grammarly is an advanced AI-powered writing assistant that helps you improve your writing grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. Beyond basic corrections, Grammarly provides suggestions to enhance the clarity and tone of your text, making your writing more impactful.

Benefits of Using Grammarly in Word

Using Grammarly directly in Word brings numerous benefits:

  1. Real-time Error Detection: Grammarly catches mistakes as you type.
  2. Enhanced Style and Tone: It helps ensure your content is clear, concise, and engaging.
  3. In-depth Explanation: Error suggestions come with detailed explanations, helping you learn and avoid the same mistakes in the future.
  4. Time-saving: Instead of proofreading your work multiple times, Grammarly instantly speeds up editing by pointing out necessary corrections.

How to Install Grammarly for Word

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit Grammarly’s Website

Go to the Grammarly website (www.grammarly.com) and either log in or create a new account if you still need one.

Step 2: Download the Grammarly Add-in

Once logged in, go to the Apps section and select “Download Grammarly for Microsoft Office.”

Step 3: Run the Installer

After downloading, open the installer file. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install Grammarly for Microsoft Word. You may need to close Word during the installation process.

Step 4: Enable Grammarly in Word

Open Microsoft Word. A Grammarly tab should now be visible in the toolbar. Click on it to log in with your Grammarly account details.

How to Use Grammarly in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you have installed Grammarly, it’s time to put it to use. Here’s how to:

Step 1: Open a Document in Microsoft Word

Start by opening the document you want to edit in Microsoft Word.

Step 2: Access the Grammarly Add-in

Click on the Grammarly tab in the Word toolbar. If you still need to log in, you will be prompted.

Step 3: Start Editing

Click on the “Open Grammarly” button. A sidebar will appear on the right side of your Word window, showing potential errors and suggestions.

Step 4: Review Suggestions

Grammarly will underline mistakes in your document. Hover over or click on each underlined section to see Grammarly’s suggestion. You can decide to accept or reject these suggestions.

Step 5: Use the Goals Feature

Click on the “Set Goals” button in the Grammarly sidebar. Here, you can customize your goals based on the audience, formal vs. informal tone, and style guidelines. This helps Grammarly tailor suggestions to match your specific writing needs.

Step 6: Check for Plagiarism

For users with Grammarly Premium, there’s a plagiarism check feature. Click “Plagiarism” in the Grammarly sidebar to scan your document for potential plagiarism, ensuring your writing is 100% original.

Tips for Maximizing Grammarly’s Potential

Consider these tips:

Customize Your Dictionary

Sometimes, Grammarly might flag unique words, jargon, or names as errors. Use the “Add to Dictionary” feature to avoid repeatedly correcting these words.

Take Advantage of Explanations

Refrain from correcting mistakes mindlessly. Read the explanations provided by Grammarly. This educational aspect lets you understand your errors and improve your writing skills.

Adjust Feedback According to Document Type

Different types of documents require different writing styles. Use Grammarly’s settings to adjust feedback based on whether you’re writing an academic paper, business report, or casual blog post.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your editing process by mastering Grammarly’s keyboard shortcuts. Refer to the Grammarly help section for a complete list of shortcuts.

Regular Updates

Grammarly continuously updates its algorithms to offer better suggestions and detect new mistakes. For the best results, ensure you use Grammarly’s latest version.

Common Questions on Using Grammarly

Is Grammarly Free?

Grammarly offers both free and premium subscriptions. The free version includes basic writing corrections, while the premium version provides advanced grammar checks, stylistic suggestions, and plagiarism detection.

Can Grammarly Work Offline?

Grammarly requires an internet connection to function, leveraging AI technology hosted on Grammarly’s servers to analyze your text.

Does Grammarly Guarantee 100% Accuracy?

While Grammarly is highly effective, no tool can guarantee 100% accuracy. Always review your document, especially for nuanced content that AI may not easily understand.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to How To Use Grammarly In Word

Q. What is Grammarly, and how can it help me while using Word?
A. Grammarly is an online writing tool that checks your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It helps improve your writing quality by suggesting corrections and enhancements as you type in Word.

Q. How do I install Grammarly in Microsoft Word?
A. You can install Grammarly by downloading the Grammarly for Microsoft Office add-in from their website. Once downloaded, open Word, and you’ll see Grammarly added to the toolbar.

Q. Do I need a Grammarly account to use it in Word?
A. You must sign up for a Grammarly account to use it in Word. You can use a free account, but premium features require a paid subscription.

Q. How do I turn Grammarly on or off?
A. To turn Grammarly on or off, go to the “Home” tab in Word, find the Grammarly section, and click on the switch to turn it on or off.

Q. What type of writing suggestions does Grammarly provide in Word?
A. Grammarly provides suggestions for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, clarity, and even tone. It helps you make your writing more engaging and error-free.

Q. Will Grammarly affect the formatting of my Word document?
A. No, Grammarly does not change the formatting of your Word document. It focuses only on your text and offers suggestions without altering your document’s appearance.

Q. Can I see the Grammarly suggestions while I write in Word?
A. Yes, Grammarly works in real-time while you type. You will see underlines in your text for errors or suggestions; you can click on them to get more information.

Q. Is Grammarly available for all versions of Word?
A. Grammarly is compatible with Microsoft Word on Windows and macOS. It may not work on older versions of Word, so it’s best to update your software.

Q. What should I do if Grammarly is not working?
A. If Grammarly is not working, try restarting Word, enabling the Grammarly add-in, or reinstalling it. Also, check for updates.

Q. Can I customize Grammarly settings in Word?
A. You can customize Grammarly settings by clicking on the Grammarly logo in the toolbar. This lets you adjust your writing goals, tone preferences, and notification settings for suggestions.

Final Thoughts on How to Use Grammarly in Word

Integrating Grammarly with Microsoft Word can dramatically enhance your writing quality. This powerful tool provides numerous benefits, from identifying basic grammar issues to improving your writing tone and style. To install and use the app in Word smoothly, follow the instructions provided in this article. Embrace the advanced features, customize settings based on your needs, and quickly produce error-free, polished documents. Happy writing!

About the Author

CJ grew up admiring books. His family owned a small bookstore throughout his early childhood, and he would spend weekends flipping through book after book, always sure to read the ones that looked the most interesting. Not much has changed since then, except now some of those interesting books he picks off the shelf were designed by his company!