Is Grammarly Premium Worth It? (2020 Review)

​I’ve used the free version of Grammarly for years, but I didn't upgrade to Grammarly Premium until recently. In short, the premium version is completely worth it—if you plan to use Grammarly regularly. Which means for me, it’s invaluable. Is it always correct? No. But the editing tool is my “second opinion” for polished material. And here’s why.

Is Grammarly Premium Worth It?

​The difference between Grammarly Free and Premium

The free version of Grammarly will catch half (or less) as many errors as the premium version. The free version catches misspelled words, misused words, and missing commas (some of the time). Even if you only have the free version, it will catch small errors that your eyes casually miss. The premium version will catch many more mistakes, as well as make casual suggestions:

• antecedent confusion
  
• absent quotation marks
  
• various misused punctuation (hyphens, periods, commas, apostrophes, etc.)
  
• capitalization errors (regarding proper names in dialogue tags)
  
• comma splices
  
• removing unnecessary commas
  
• weak words (very, really, some, etc.)
  
• passive voice 

​Do editors use Grammarly?

I can’t speak for all editors, but I use Grammarly after the final version of the work is completed. In other words, whether I’m editing projects for small businesses or editing a manuscript, once I finish, I run Grammarly through the completed product. I don’t always accept the changes that Grammarly highlights, but I read through each suggestion. It’s nice to have Grammarly as my backup, my robotic assistant. Why do I use Grammarly? Because I’m human, and even I make mistakes, such as missing a misspelled word, or forgetting to include an article (the, a, an), or neglecting to include a hyphen. Not only that, but when you hire me through Yaupon Berry Press, you know I’m giving your project top-notch attention, and I have all the necessary tools already downloaded on my computer. 

​How much is Grammarly Premium? 

​Having been a Grammarly (free) user for years, I received updates when promotions were running. I purchased Grammarly Premium during one of those promotions for $69.98, which covers an entire year of service. When mine renews, I’ll pay the renewal price of $139.95. Grammarly Premium also has monthly and quarterly plans, as well as the annual plan. For more info, you can check out their website. 

​Do you still need an editor if you use Grammarly?

​Yes. Editors restructure the flow of sentences for a smoother read, understand different style guides (such as Chicago Manual Style versus AP Style), remove unnecessary fluff, check for spelling and timeline consistency, find plot holes, point out sections that need more development, locate overused words (crutch words), and much more. 

Tip: I’ve added Grammarly to my Microsoft Word, which means I don’t have to copy and paste material into the Grammarly app. This process is more efficient and a better way to edit.

If you found this blog helpful, share it with your colleagues and fellow writers. And if you need an editor, contact me. For more information about the services Yaupon Berry Press offers, click here.

Author

Dawn Husted progressed into offering her editing services to clients in 2016, eventually opening Yaupon Berry Press LLC.  She's constantly learning new ways of helping clients stay relevant in today’s market, whether by using an SEO strategy targeting high-trafficked keywords or simply fine-tuning their content. ​Dawn lives in central Texas with her husband, two energetic kids and an adorable golden retriever.

Related Keywords: grammarly premium review, grammarly premium cost, grammarly premium difference, grammarly premium is it worth it, is grammarly premium worth it, Grammarly review, reviews on grammarly premium, features of grammarly premium, advantages of grammarly premium, grammarly premium 2020
​

Related Blog Posts

REMOVING FILTER WORDS IN FICTION

Is your manuscript filled with too many filter words: I wondered, I felt, I saw, I noticed? Have you ever thought about that aspect of your writing? Maybe you’re in the middle of developing an idea for a story or have just finished writing a book. If your manuscript is finished and you haven’t hired an editor yet, here’s a quick trick to remove filter words.

WHAT DOES “SHOW VS. TELL” MEAN?

What does “show versus tell” mean? For new writers, this can be a confusing phrase. First, let me state: it’s okay to tell. But in my opinion, showing is more appropriate in many instances, especially if you want the reader to notice something in particular.

Why You Need a Proofreader for Your Small Business

As you read this phrase, keep your eyes peeled for the error: Year Round Sports Club. Did you spot the mistake? The adjective “year round” needs a hyphen to make it grammatically correct: year-round. 

Today, while I drove my kids to school, I passed a particular sign advertising a year-round sports club for kids. The good news is that this one particular phrase... [READ MORE]

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the act of reviewing the final draft for mistakes (also called copy editing). Plain and simple. This means if you’ve been asked to proofread material for work or for a friend, the content you’re reviewing has already been thoroughly edited. All you need to search for are misspelled words, missing punctuation, and formatting inconsistencies (indents, margins, etc.). [READ MORE]

Save Your Scene

How many times have you finished writing a chapter or a scene and are unsure of its importance? Or better yet, maybe it’s a critical scene, but it lacks the tension you were hoping for. Can you save your scene?

Does Your Protagonist Act Like a Psychopath?

Have you ever been told that your main character comes across as rude, not relatable, or emotionless? This problem can be a common pitfall for new writers. If you’ve finished writing a book, then congratulations! If you’re in the middle of writing a book, then don’t stop now. But if you want to figure out how to make your protagonist more relatable, then keep reading.