Grammarly

[colly]

I've seen this advertised a lot recently. Especially on YouTube and so on.

If you don't know, it's a free download that corrects spelling and grammar as you write. Everything from emails, reports and letters, to posts on social media etc

It sounds good seeing as it's free....but...

A program like that will cost a LOT to develop, what with input from institutions and linguistic specialists, and programming, back office support and so on.
So what is in it for them?
A read a suggestion that what IS in it for the people behind it is that everything you write, from messages to loved ones, to the tax office, to your bank, even sign-in names and passwords will be theirs for the taking should they so wish.
Personal stuff would be the least of your worries I'm thinking.

Is that simply paranoid or is it a real danger?

BTW I haven't downloaded it so maybe they have covered this in their instructions and terms. Of course what companies SAY they do with your information and what they actually DO do with it are often very different things.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Imo it's just a grammar/spellchecker.
Microsoft word has one.
CC has a spellchecker, smartphones have a spellchecker that works across apps.
With a name like that - is grammarly even an English word? - I wouldn't trust it to spell my name!
Probably they make their money with ads.

 

[TheDoctor]

If you install the free version, it does encourage you to upgrade to paid-for. Quite often.

 

[Markymark]

We have a polish member of staff that asked for it for emails so we trialed it. It is rubbish.

 

[Corky Cyclist]

Nothing wrong with your grammar, Colly. You don't need it.

 

[mustang1]

If you install the free version, it does encourage you to upgrade to paid-for. Quite often.

So it's like antivirus software that comes free on a new PC. Grrr .

 

[glasgowcyclist]

it's a free download that corrects spelling and garmmar as you write [...] BTW I haven't downloaded it

Maybe you should!

 

[colly]

Maybe you should!

Probably, but an 'in-house' checker is so much more friendly.

Edit: and thanks.

 

[Levo-Lon]

My phone is a nightmare with its spelling check.
Especially when changing a word..it will just add loads of letters or remove or double up..drive me potty at times

 

[Threevok]

I doubt it will make any difference to my grammar

Besides, she's always down the bingo hall

 

[biggs682]

CC has a spellchecker, .

doe's it ?

 

[Levo-Lon]

doe's it ?

It used to have loads,but most have cleared off now..

 

[Supersuperleeds]

It used to have loads,but most have cleared off now..

They all graduated and joined:

https://odditymall.com/includes/content/grammar-police-badge-patch-0.jpg

 

[PaulSB]

 

[Pale Rider]

We have a polish member of staff that asked for it for emails so we trialed it. It is rubbish.

Presumably, it knew 'Polish' in reference to nationality has a capital P. and 'trialled' has a double l.