Calling on “Grammarly” is like calling the cavalry for assistance. If you’re not familiar with this somewhat old-fashioned metaphor, “calling in the cavalry” refers to the quickest or strongest means of resolving a situation (in your favor). Literally, the cavalry is the division of the army mounted on horseback. Grammarly is an app I use when my writing efforts are losing ground and a rescue or reinforcements would be most appreciated. There is a free version, which is certainly helpful, but you should look at the capabilities of the paid “premium” version to determine if you need these. If you do, it’s worth it.
Can you imagine not having a “spell check” to alert you when you have typed “chrdk” instead of “check?” Before spell checkers became widely available on personal computers in the 1980’s, proofreading was even more excruciating a task than it is today. Grammarly’s spell checker may be the bugle call to get your attention, but the app has an entire platoon of helpful suggestions (it’s up to you to accept or reject the program’s recommendations).
You can use the basic mode and Grammarly checks for contextual spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and style. You can select plagiarism to learn whether you have inadvertently “borrowed” someone’s words and made them yours. There is a vocabulary enhancement function, which points out vague words that can be changed to another word or phrase to make the sentence stronger or clearer. There is help in noticing when you are using the passive voice and other features you can try (and eventually wonder how you managed without them).
Whether you are writing a business letter, a blog, a school paper, an essay, an article, or a book, you don’t want errors to taint your message. We’re error-prone, we humans. But help is at hand!
Bonus info (for fellow word freaks): In paragraph one, I used the word “cavalry.” I double-checked my spelling, which always is smart when you realize there is a similar word, similar spelling, but different meaning. As explained on Merriam-webster.com,
On the battlefield, one should send in the cavalry, which is the word for an army component mounted on horseback. The similarly spelled word calvary, however, refers to “an open-air depiction of the crucifixion” or, more recently, “an experience of intense suffering.”
Double-checking, using Grammarly, and employing a professional proofreader are all recommended practices when you undertake the courageous task of communicating through writing.
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