How to Use Grammarly Like a Pro (2026 Guide)

by Fahim Joharder | Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Grammarly feature:

Getting Started — Create account and basic setup
How to Use Grammar Checker — Find and fix grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
How to Use Tone Suggestions — Adjust your voice and tone to match your intended audience
How to Use Plagiarism Checker — Compare your text against billions of pages for originality
How to Use Paraphrasing Tool — Rewrite sentences with better word choice and clarity
How to Use AI Writing Tools — Use generative AI to brainstorm and draft content
How to Use Proofreading — Catch typos and mechanics errors across all your apps

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I started using Grammarly years ago and have tested every feature covered here. This tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.

Grammarly is one of the most popular grammar checker tools available today.

It works by pointing out errors in grammar, spelling, and tone as you type.

But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.

This guide shows you how to use every major feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

Grammarly Tutorial

This complete How to Use Grammarly tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.

Grammarly

Write with confidence everywhere you type. Grammarly checks grammar, spelling, tone, and clarity across your browser, desktop, and mobile device. Try the free version today.

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Getting Started with Grammarly

Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.

It takes about 3 minutes.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to Grammarly’s website and click “Sign Up.”

You can sign up with email, Google, Facebook, or Apple.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Install on Your Computer

Download the Grammarly desktop app or add the browser extension.

Grammarly supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main dashboard.

Step 3: Set Your Writing Goals

Click “Goals” in the editor to set audience, formality, and tone.

This helps the tool give you feedback that fits your context.

✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.

Try Grammarly for free

How to Use Grammarly Grammar Checker

Grammar Checker lets you find and fix grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in your own writing.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open Your Document

Paste your text into the Grammarly editor on your computer.

You can also create a new document from the dashboard.

Step 2: Review Underlined Errors

Grammarly automatically scans your sentences for mistakes.

Each error gets a colored underline pointing to the issue.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see colored underlines under each error.

Step 3: Accept or Ignore Suggestions

Click each suggestion to correct the error instantly.

✅ Result: Your text is now mistake free with correct grammar and spelling.

💡 Pro Tip: Set your writing goals before editing. This tells Grammarly about your intended audience so suggestions match your context.

Try Grammarly for free

How to Use Grammarly Tone Suggestions

Tone Suggestions lets you adjust your voice and tone so readers feel the confidence you intend.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Write or Paste Your Text

Paste your draft into the editor or type directly.

The tone detector activates by default on all documents.

Step 2: Check the Tone Indicator

Look at the bottom of the editor for the tone label.

Grammarly shows how your text sounds to readers.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see tone labels like “Confident” or “Friendly.”

Step 3: Apply Tone Feedback

Follow each suggestion to shift your voice as needed.

✅ Result: Your writing now matches the tone your intended audience expects.

💡 Pro Tip: Watch for few instances where your tone shifts mid-paragraph. Grammarly flags these so you can keep a consistent voice throughout your article.

Try Grammarly for free

How to Use Grammarly Plagiarism Checker

Plagiarism Checker lets you compare your text against billions of web pages to protect your original text.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Plagiarism Feature

Click the plagiarism icon on the right sidebar.

Note that this feature requires a paid Pro subscription.

Step 2: Run the Scan

Grammarly checks your text against billions of online sources.

Wait a few seconds for the scan to finish.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a percentage score and any matched sources.

Step 3: Review Matched Sources

Decide which flagged passages to rewrite in your own words.

✅ Result: Your document is now verified as original with no unintended matches.

💡 Pro Tip: Run the plagiarism scan before publishing any article. This is especially helpful for writers working with research sources.

Try Grammarly for free

How to Use Grammarly Paraphrasing Tool

Paraphrasing Tool lets you rewrite sentences with better word choice while keeping the original meaning.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Select the Text to Rewrite

Highlight the sentences you want to paraphrase.

You can select a single sentence or a full paragraph.

Step 2: Click Paraphrase

Grammarly generates alternative versions of your text.

Each option keeps the meaning but improves the structure.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see multiple rewrite options below your selection.

Step 3: Choose Your Preferred Version

Pick the version that fits your writing style best.

✅ Result: Your sentences now read clearly with improved word choice and structure.

💡 Pro Tip: Use paraphrasing when Grammarly flags readability issues. It can break long sentences into shorter ones that readers prefer.

Try Grammarly for free

How to Use Grammarly AI Writing Tools

AI Writing Tools lets you use generative AI to brainstorm, draft, and rewrite content inside the editor.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the AI Assistant

Click the generative AI icon in the Grammarly editor.

You can also highlight text and select “Improve with AI.”

Step 2: Enter Your Prompt

Describe what you want Grammarly’s AI to create or fix.

For example, ask it to shorten a paragraph or change the tone.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a generated draft below your prompt.

Step 3: Review and Accept Output

Read the AI-generated text before inserting it.

✅ Result: You now have AI-assisted text ready to edit and publish.

💡 Pro Tip: Always review AI output with your own judgment. Generative AI is helpful but a human editor still catches context that machines miss.

Try Grammarly for free

How to Use Grammarly Proofreading

Proofreading lets you catch typos, spelling errors, and punctuation mistakes across all your apps.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Install Grammarly Everywhere

Add the browser extension or desktop app to your computer.

Grammarly also works on Facebook, email, and other apps.

Step 2: Write as You Normally Would

Grammarly runs automatically in the background as you type.

Red underlines appear under typos and mechanics errors.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see real-time underlines as you type in any app.

Step 3: Fix Errors with One Click

Click each underline to accept the correct spelling or punctuation.

✅ Result: Your writing is now free of typos and punctuation errors everywhere.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t worry about errors while drafting your first version. Wait until you finish, then let Grammarly act as your proofreader before you publish.

Try Grammarly for free

Grammarly Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Grammarly for years, here are my best tips.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Accept suggestion	Tab or Enter
Dismiss suggestion	Esc
Next suggestion	Arrow Down
Open Grammarly sidebar	Click the Grammarly icon

Hidden Features Most People Miss

Weekly Writing Reports: Grammarly sends weekly feedback on your overall score, mistakes, and vocabulary usage so you can learn from patterns
Personal Dictionary: Add words Grammarly doesn’t recognize to stop false flags across all your documents
Style Guide (Pro): Set team-wide rules so every writer follows the same mechanics and tone by default

Try Grammarly for free

Grammarly Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Accepting Every Suggestion Blindly

❌ Wrong: Clicking “Accept All” without reading each suggestion.

✅ Right: Review every suggestion individually. Decide what fits your own writing style and ignore the rest.

Mistake #2: Editing While Still Drafting

❌ Wrong: Stopping to fix every underline before finishing the first draft.

✅ Right: Write your full draft first. Then use Grammarly to fix errors and polish the text in one pass.

Mistake #3: Skipping Document Goals Setup

❌ Wrong: Using the default settings without telling Grammarly your intended audience.

✅ Right: Set your writing goals for audience, formality, and tone before editing. This gives you better advice.

Try Grammarly for free

Grammarly Troubleshooting

Problem: Grammarly Not Showing in Browser

Cause: The extension is disabled or conflicts with another add-on.

Fix: Check your browser extensions page. Enable Grammarly and disable any conflicting grammar tools.

Problem: Suggestions Not Loading

Cause: Slow internet connection or a temporary server issue.

Fix: Refresh the page and wait a moment. If the issue continues, clear your browser cache and try again.

Problem: Grammarly Not Working in Microsoft Office

Cause: The Grammarly add-in is not installed or needs an update.

Fix: Open Microsoft Office, go to Add-ins, and install or update the Grammarly plugin. Then restart the app.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Grammarly support.

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What is Grammarly?

Grammarly is a writing tool that checks grammar, spelling, tone, and clarity across your browser, computer, and mobile device.

Think of it like a spelling and grammar teacher that follows you everywhere you write.

Watch this quick overview:

Grammarly Review: Is it worth it, and what you NEED to know!

It includes these key features:

Grammar Checker: Flags grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors as you type
Tone Suggestions: Detects your tone and suggests adjustments for your readers
Plagiarism Checker: Scans your text against billions of pages for originality
Paraphrasing Tool: Rewrites sentences to improve readability and word choice
AI Writing Tools: Uses generative AI to help you create and rewrite text
Proofreading: Catches typos and mechanics issues across all your apps

For a full review, see our Grammarly review.

Try Grammarly for free

Grammarly Pricing

Here’s what Grammarly costs in 2026:

Plan	Price	Best For
Free	$0 USD	Anyone testing basic grammar and spelling checks
Pro	$12 USD	Writers who need advanced feedback and clarity suggestions
Enterprise	Contact Sales	Teams needing admin controls and style guides

Free trial: Yes — the free version includes basic grammar and spelling checks with no time limit.

Money-back guarantee: Yes — you can cancel within 7 days for a refund.

💰 Best Value: Pro — at $12 USD it unlocks tone, clarity, readability, and plagiarism checks that the free plan does not include.

Try Grammarly for free

Grammarly vs Alternatives

How does Grammarly compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Tool	Best For	Price	Rating
Grammarly	All-around grammar and tone	$0–$12/mo	⭐ 4.6
Quillbot	Budget paraphrasing	$0–$4.17/mo	⭐ 4.2
Jenni	Academic research writing	$0–$12/mo	⭐ 4.0
Frase	SEO content writing	$49–$299/mo	⭐ 4.3
Paperpal	Journal manuscript editing	$0–$19/mo	⭐ 4.1
SciSpace	Scientific paper analysis	$0–$70/mo	⭐ 4.2
Writesonic	Marketing copy generation	$39–$399/mo	⭐ 3.5
Sider	Browser sidebar AI	$4.20–$16.70/mo	⭐ 4.0

Quick picks:

Best overall: Grammarly — deepest grammar, tone, and clarity coverage
Best budget: Quillbot — strong free tier for paraphrasing and grammar
Best for beginners: Jenni — simple interface built for students
Best for SEO writers: Frase — combines research and writing in one tool

🎯 Grammarly Alternatives

Looking for Grammarly alternatives? Here are the top options:

🚀 Jenni: AI research writing assistant that drafts and cites academic papers quickly.
💰 Paperpal: Academic editing tool that polishes manuscripts before journal submission.
🎨 Yomu: AI writing assistant designed for students writing essays and theses.
⚡ Writesonic: AI content generator for marketing copy, blog posts, and ad text.
🔒 Frase: SEO content tool that helps you research, outline, and write articles.
🧠 CoWriter: AI co-writing assistant that helps brainstorm and draft content faster.
👶 Elicit: AI research assistant that finds and summarizes academic papers.
🏢 SciSpace: Research platform with AI that explains and summarizes scientific papers.
🔧 scite: Citation analysis tool that shows how papers have been cited in context.
🌟 Quillbot: Paraphrasing and grammar tool with a generous free tier for students.
⭐ Paperguide: AI-powered research assistant that helps with paper discovery and writing.
🔥 Sider: AI browser sidebar that summarizes, translates, and explains web content.

For the full list, see our Grammarly alternatives guide.

⚔️ Grammarly Compared

Here’s how Grammarly stacks up against each competitor:

Grammarly vs Jenni: Jenni focuses on academic research writing, while Grammarly covers all writing types with deeper grammar checks.
Grammarly vs Paperpal: Paperpal targets journal submissions specifically. Grammarly works across every platform and document type.
Grammarly vs Yomu: Yomu is purpose-built for students. Grammarly fits students and professionals with broader feature coverage.
Grammarly vs Writesonic: Writesonic generates content from scratch. Grammarly edits and improves your own writing instead.
Grammarly vs Frase: Frase centers on SEO research and outlines. Grammarly focuses on grammar, tone, and readability across all text.
Grammarly vs CoWriter: CoWriter assists with content drafting. Grammarly excels at editing, grammar correction, and tone detection.
Grammarly vs Elicit: Elicit focuses on literature review. Grammarly handles the actual writing, editing, and proofreading.
Grammarly vs SciSpace: SciSpace is built for reading research papers. Grammarly is built for writing and editing all document types.
Grammarly vs scite: scite analyzes citation context in research. Grammarly provides writing improvement across grammar, tone, and clarity.
Grammarly vs Quillbot: Quillbot offers strong paraphrasing at a lower price. Grammarly adds tone detection, style guides, and plagiarism checks.
Grammarly vs Paperguide: Paperguide blends research and writing. Grammarly provides deeper grammar, tone, and readability analysis.
Grammarly vs Sider: Sider works as a browser sidebar for summaries. Grammarly is a dedicated writing assistant with deeper editing features.