To Fix or Not to Fix? That Is the Question.
- bandcoedits
- Jun 6, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 15, 2025
Grammarly Flagged It, But Should You Change It?
You’re typing away, the words are flowing, and then—ding!
Grammarly puts a red line through your sentence. "Consider revising this for clarity," it says. Or tone. Or conciseness. And suddenly, you're second-guessing yourself. Should you change it? Or is this where you trust your voice?
Grammarly and similar editing tools are powerful aids, especially for writers who want to communicate clearly and professionally. But when it comes to creativity, authenticity, and storytelling, blindly following those edits can sometimes do more harm than good.
Let’s explore when to take Grammarly’s advice… and when to gently close the suggestion box.
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The Rise of Writing Assistants
Grammarly, Hemingway, ProWritingAid—they’re everywhere. And for good reason.
They help catch typos, clarify clunky sentences, and elevate formal writing.
I’ve personally leaned on Grammarly in moments of mental exhaustion. But it also occasionally flagged things that were intentional. Emotive. Raw. And real.
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The Red Line Doesn’t Always Mean “Wrong”
Here’s the key truth: Grammarly is based on patterns, not purpose.
It doesn’t know what you meant to say. It sees statistics, not sentiment.
You might write:
“My thoughts—broken, scattered—still matter.”
Grammarly might say, “Consider revising for sentence clarity.”
But maybe that sentence, with its broken rhythm, mirrors your experience. It’s supposed to feel a little scattered. It’s intentional.
In creative, narrative, and personal writing, those "rules" can bend. Or break entirely.
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Ask Yourself: What’s the Goal of the Writing?
Before accepting or rejecting Grammarly's suggestions, pause and ask:
1. Who am I writing for?
If it’s for your blog readers—many of whom come for you and your honesty—your voice matters more than perfect grammar.
2. What’s the emotion behind this line?
Sometimes a sentence is fragmented on purpose. Or repetitive for rhythm. Grammarly might not get that.
3. Will changing this edit lose my voice?
If your sentence sounds more like “you” than Grammarly’s suggestion, trust your instinct.
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When Grammarly Is Your Best Friend
Let’s not throw out the tool altogether. Grammarly is amazing when:
You're writing professional emails or resumes
Submitting articles to publications with stricter style guides
Wanting cleaner readability
You're too close to your own words and need a fresh lens
You’re experiencing cognitive fatigue and want reassurance
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When It’s Okay to Hit “Ignore”
Here’s when it’s more than okay to ignore the suggestion:
Your sentence mimics speech. Real people pause, repeat, and speak in fragments.
The edit changes the tone. Especially if you’re going for warmth, humor, or vulnerability.
It erases culture or dialect. Tools often favor standard English and may overlook valid expressions from other cultures or communities.
You’re telling your story. First-person writing often breaks the rules—and that’s its power.
Think of Grammarly as a suggestion, not a superior. You're still the author. You hold the pen.
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A Note on Accessibility and Confidence
Grammarly might feel like a gatekeeper—but don’t let it silence you.
Your voice matters—even if it’s imperfect. Especially then.
Writing is not just about polished grammar. It’s about reclaiming identity. Finding meaning. Leaving breadcrumbs of your journey or for others who are walking similar paths.
If Grammarly helps you feel confident? Wonderful. If it causes you to shrink your message? Take a step back and breathe.
You don’t need an app to validate your truth.
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Final Thoughts: Use the Tool, But Don’t Be Ruled by It
Writing is both art and skill. Tools like Grammarly help with the skill. But the art—the emotion, story, truth—that’s all you.
So the next time Grammarly flags your sentence, pause. Ask yourself: Is this helping my message, or flattening my voice?
If it helps, accept it.
If it doesn’t, hit “ignore” with confidence.
You’re not just a writer. You’re a storyteller. A human with a story to tell. And no algorithm can replace that.
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