How I Used Grammarly to Improve My Academic Writing (Without Paying)

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Writing clearly and correctly in English was one of my biggest academic challenges in college. As a non-native English speaker, I often lost points on grammar—even when my ideas were solid.

That changed when I started using Grammarly’s free version.
No, I didn’t pay for Premium. But even the free version helped me become a better writer over time.

Here’s exactly how I used it, what it helped me fix, and what I learned along the way.

Why I Started Using Grammarly

My professor once said, “Your ideas are great, but the grammar gets in the way.”
That hit me.

I knew I needed a tool that could give me instant feedback while writing. I tried a few grammar checkers, but Grammarly was the cleanest and easiest to use.

It worked inside Google Docs, emails, and even discussion boards, which made it perfect for everyday use.

How I Used Grammarly (Free Version Only)

  1. Essay Drafting in Google Docs
    As I wrote, Grammarly underlined grammar, spelling, and clarity issues in real time.
    I didn’t have to switch apps—it just worked in the background.

  2. Emails to Professors
    I used Grammarly when writing formal emails to make sure my tone was respectful and clear.
    It helped me avoid awkward phrases like “Can you help me?” and replace them with “Would you be able to assist me?”

  3. Revising Before Submitting Assignments
    Before uploading essays, I copied the text into the Grammarly web editor for a final polish.
    It caught things like passive voice, missing articles, and repetitive words.

  4. Learning Through Corrections
    I didn’t just “accept all changes”—I paid attention to the suggestions.
    Over time, I started to notice patterns in my writing (like using “the” too often), and that made me improve without even trying.

Pros of Using Grammarly Free

  • Real-time corrections while you type

  • Works across platforms (Docs, email, web)

  • Helps with tone and clarity—not just grammar

  • No cost at all, even for core features

  • Great for non-native speakers

Cons of the Free Version

  • No advanced suggestions (like sentence rewrites or word choice upgrades)
    → I used Hemingway Editor as a backup for improving clarity

  • Sometimes over-corrects
    → I learned to trust my instincts and ignore suggestions that didn’t match my voice

  • No citation checker or plagiarism tool
    → For that, I used separate tools like Quillbot or Turnitin (via my school)

Real Impact on My Writing

Over two semesters, I noticed my grades on written assignments improved—not just because of grammar, but because my writing was easier to read.

Professors commented things like:

“Much clearer writing this time.”
“Well-structured and easy to follow.”

More importantly, I felt more confident writing essays, emails, and even job applications.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to pay to improve your writing. Grammarly’s free version gave me the core tools I needed to write more effectively and professionally.

If you’re a student looking to level up your academic writing—especially if English isn’t your first language—I highly recommend trying it.
Use it actively, pay attention to the feedback, and watch your writing transform over time.

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