Stupid Simple Mac Tips #81 – Surfing with Syntax
Last week I introduced the wonders of Grammarly and its all-encompassing proofreading toolset that is a boon to hasty writers like me (and every lawyer I know).
Now let’s explore the time-saving efficiency and broad versatility that has made the application a universal part of my workflow.
We’ve already touched on how Grammarly goes well beyond spelling corrections; by fixing grammar, assessing tone, expanding vocabulary, and addressing wordiness/clarity/passivity with contextual awareness, it flat-out makes you a better communicator.
What you may not know is that it can do so (almost) EVERYWHERE! By almost, I mean the one I wish for most often is Outlook. I’m still stuck to the antiquated built-in grammar check, though a potential workaround is working in Outlook on a web browser, which I personally won’t do.
Since Grammarly is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, it’s not relegated to word processing tasks but available to improve your writing in emails, on social media, across collaborative project channels – anything you access on the web.
Signing up also gives you a personal Grammarly page to write directly as a scratchpad or import offline documents to check before sending them off.
It’s like having your English teacher always over your shoulder…in a good way.
No more excuses!
An attorney’s professionalism shouldn’t be limited to briefs and the courtroom — your reputation and attention to detail are reflected in everything you do. Don’t undermine client confidence with typos and sloppiness…especially when fixing them is this easy!
My process is to crank out content without distraction at my typically frenetic pace, then I turn on Grammarly, which analyzes, proofs, and fixes the writing way faster than a simple spell-check.
And since the extension can be quickly switched off/on, you can disable it in instances where an active connection might cause privacy concerns.
Man, I love saving time AND sounding smarter – I only wish they made a brain extension to go with the browser one.
If you’re the type who is rooted to MS Office or using case management software that compels word processing documents, Grammarly still has you covered with downloadable apps – we’ll cover that next week.
In the meantime, let me know how your Grammarly trial is going and how you’ve integrated its tech into your workday (I love getting tips, not just giving them)…or send me any questions via [email protected].
