Chapter 1: The Evolution of Grammarly

I recently came across an intriguing article on Medium that delves into Grammarly's effectiveness in identifying errors, including those that may not actually be errors. This has prompted me to reflect on how valuable Grammarly is for writers today. Back in 2010, the platform had around 150,000 users, and that number has skyrocketed to over 65 million. It’s encouraging to see so many individuals prioritize the quality of their writing. However, it raises concerns about whether this reliance fosters insecurity and dependence on the software. While I don’t view Grammarly as an omnipresent overseer, I do wonder if, in our quest for perfect prose, we might lose something essential. It leads me to question: while Grammarly may enhance our writing, does it also enhance our reading experience?

As an avid reader with diverse interests in both fiction and non-fiction, I find it peculiar when different texts adopt similar stylistic approaches. Consider the following two examples:

Ingredients:

• A cheeky 200g of bright, light, self-raising flour
• An indulgent 50g of golden, burnished butter, perfectly beaten to a soft, melting consistency
• Two fresh eggs, delicately cracked and whipped until light and airy like champagne bubbles

Property Description:

• A detached house featuring a lounge, kitchen, three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a garden, complete with parking at the front. The asking price is £xxx.

Now, let’s rearrange these examples:

Ingredients:

• 200g self-raising flour
• 50g butter
• 2 beaten eggs

Property Description:

• This larger-than-average detached house has it all. Enjoy a sunny lounge with views of the beautifully landscaped garden. The decor is fresh and inviting, ready for you to move in. The kitchen is equipped with all necessary appliances and ample workspace, perfect for family activities. Each of the three spacious bedrooms includes a master suite with fitted wardrobes and expansive windows. The recently renovated bathroom features an electric shower over the bath—a practical solution for saving space. The back garden boasts an easy-to-maintain lawn and a generous patio area for relaxing and dining, framed by landscaped flower beds. Ample parking for two large vehicles is available at the front, complemented by a vibrant flower border for added curb appeal. Priced at £xxx for a swift sale.

While I’m not advocating for bland, uninspired language—akin to a generic real estate listing—I believe there exists a delightful middle ground between clinical writing and overly flowery prose. Readers can be quite particular; for instance, I find Thomas Hardy's extensive descriptions tedious, yet I appreciate his poetry. Conversely, I enjoy Raymond Chandler's vivid imagery but prefer George Orwell's succinct style. I often wonder how Grammarly would evaluate these authors' works.

How does this relate to Grammarly? I find it excellent for technical aspects of writing, but there are times when I crave the emotional resonance that only comes from a writer’s authentic voice. I find value in filler words and repetition, and I appreciate writing that employs literary devices. I admire cooking shows that present meticulously crafted dishes in tiny portions, but when I'm genuinely hungry, I prefer a hearty meal that’s comforting yet possesses a unique touch.

To clarify, I believe Grammarly is a fantastic tool that enhances clarity and precision in writing. However, it cannot replace the richness that comes from heartfelt expression. At times, Grammarly misinterprets a writer’s intent, altering the message in unintended ways. Moreover, it can smooth out the rough edges, resulting in a polished but sterile piece. While this is ideal for formal reports, it doesn’t suit every writing scenario. I often cherish the messy, imperfect edges where my creativity can flourish.

I utilize Grammarly to review my work, but ultimately, I am the one who decides what to amend or disregard. It's easy to lose faith in our writing; however, nothing compares to the allure of a writer's unique style, voice, and tone. Grammarly can be seen as a bridge between unrefined, spontaneous writing and the polished output of AI. While it’s essential to avoid poorly constructed sentences that obscure meaning, I also seek excitement beyond mere grammatical correctness. As an educator, I prefer to provide feedback like this:

"This is a captivating story with well-developed characters and genuine excitement. I've marked some spelling and punctuation errors, as well as areas of grammar that I’d like you to correct for future reference."

Rather than:

"Your grammar is flawless, spelling is perfect, and punctuation is without error. However, I’d like you to reflect on your storyline, plot, and characters for more engaging future narratives."

If I had to choose, I would much rather work with the first student. Teaching someone to enhance their communication skills is much easier than instilling creativity, character development, and storytelling ability.

This leads me to contemplate the necessity of teaching grammar, punctuation, and spelling to children in the age of tools like Grammarly. Are we merely imparting outdated skills, much like instructing someone on how to build a wooden wheel or drive a horse and cart? Wouldn’t children benefit from showcasing their beautiful narratives, essays, and stories without errors? As an educator, I see the appeal of allowing children to write confidently, enjoying the process without being hindered by technicalities. Yet, there is also tremendous value in the ownership and pride that come from redrafting—a process akin to mastering a sonata on the piano rather than simply listening to a recorded version. I believe this topic deserves further discussion.

What about the evolving landscape of language and grammar? When McDonald's introduced the slogan "I'm loving it," many people were annoyed by its grammatical inaccuracy. Yet, this phrase has become widely accepted and adapted over time. While I am a native English speaker, I recognize that most English speakers use it as a second language. The rules of grammar will continue to evolve, shaped by the majority's usage. Will strict grammatical rules matter, or will they be dismantled and transformed as language evolves? Language is fluid, and the rules governing grammar, words, phrases, and idioms are in constant flux.

Do most writers truly need Grammarly? Why do literate individuals often make errors despite thorough checks? It’s easy to attribute this to laziness or a lack of motivation to present our best work. However, much of it stems from our inherent ability to interpret context, leading us to misread words repeatedly. You may have encountered examples like these that illustrate the point:

"I thnk its esy for us to misred wht we see becus we read wht we expct to see."

And this:

"I no that wen we read we ofen see the conxt of wat we read rathr thn indvdual words."

Or even this:

"im gng ot l8r — c u sn lv u x."

It’s astounding how we can comprehend such jumbled messages. Our brains are adept at interpreting words in context, filling in the blanks to make sense of the information.

Another contributing factor to errors is a lack of knowledge, particularly among non-native speakers. Mastering the correct syntax, idioms, and phrases can be challenging in language acquisition.

We may overlook words (I see you have nice website.), confuse determiners (I see you have the nice website.), misuse verb endings (I see you haved a nice website.), mix tenses (I seen you have a nice website.), and struggle with singular and plural forms (I see you have a nice websites.).

Many individuals write as they speak, yet there’s a clear distinction between informal spoken language and formal written language. Even when we know the rules, we sometimes choose to express ourselves incorrectly for various reasons, often to avoid coming across in a certain way. This tendency to err can easily extend to writing.

Regardless of the reasons, Grammarly serves as a valuable guide, helping us navigate these challenges. It's an indispensable tool in my writing toolkit, complementing my choices rather than replacing them.

The first video titled "How to Use Grammarly - Beginner's Guide" provides a comprehensive overview of Grammarly's features and how to make the most of this powerful tool.

The second video, "How to Use Grammarly," offers practical tips and insights into enhancing your writing using Grammarly.