Google Docs has improved its grammar checking significantly over the past few years. Between the built-in suggestions, Grammarly integration, and a few other tools, you can catch most writing issues without leaving the document. Here’s how to use all of them.
Short Answer: Google Docs has built-in grammar and spelling checking that works automatically as you type. For deeper grammar checks, add the free Grammarly extension for Chrome, which overlays suggestions directly in Google Docs. Both are free.
Google Docs’ Built-In Grammar Checker
Google Docs automatically underlines spelling errors in red and grammar issues in blue. To review and accept suggestions:
- Click Tools → Spelling and grammar → Spelling and grammar check (or press Ctrl + Alt + X / Cmd + Option + X on Mac)
- A panel opens on the right showing each suggestion
- Click Accept to apply the fix or Dismiss to ignore it
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Google Docs spelling and grammar check panel open on the right side with a suggested correction highlighted
Enable Grammar Suggestions
If you’re not seeing grammar suggestions (only spelling), make sure it’s turned on:
- Click Tools → Spelling and grammar
- Make sure Show grammar suggestions is checked
Auto-Correct While Typing
Google Docs can auto-correct common mistakes as you type. Enable it under Tools → Preferences → Automatically correct spelling.
Grammarly for Chrome — Best Free Upgrade
Grammarly’s Chrome extension adds a second layer of grammar checking that works directly inside Google Docs. It catches more nuanced issues than Google’s checker — passive voice overuse, wordiness, unclear sentence structure, and tone suggestions.
How to add it:
- Go to the Grammarly Chrome Extension page
- Click Add to Chrome → Add extension
- Open any Google Doc — Grammarly suggestions appear automatically as green underlines
- Click a suggestion to see the explanation and accept or dismiss it
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Google Docs with Grammarly sidebar open showing writing suggestions alongside the document
Grammarly’s free tier covers spelling, basic grammar, and punctuation. The Premium tier adds style, clarity, and tone suggestions — useful for professional writing but not necessary for everyday use.
LanguageTool — Best Free Alternative to Grammarly
LanguageTool is an open-source grammar checker with a Google Docs add-on. It’s a strong free alternative to Grammarly with particularly good multilingual support (checks grammar in 30+ languages).
Install it via Extensions → Add-ons → Get add-ons → search “LanguageTool”.
Tips for Better Writing in Google Docs
- Use Tools → Word count to check document length and reading time
- The Explore tool (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + I) can suggest related research without leaving your doc
- Use Edit → Find and replace to catch repeated words you’ve overused
- Enable Smart Compose in Tools → Preferences for AI-powered sentence completion
Best setup:
Built-in checker (always on) + Grammarly Chrome extension (free) = catches ~95% of grammar issues in Google Docs
FAQ
Is Google Docs’ grammar checker good enough without Grammarly?
For basic writing — emails, short documents, everyday writing — yes. For important documents, academic writing, or professional content, adding Grammarly or LanguageTool catches things Google misses.
Will Grammarly work in Google Docs on mobile?
Grammarly’s Chrome extension only works on desktop. On mobile, the Grammarly Keyboard app integrates with the Google Docs iOS/Android app to some extent, but the suggestions are more limited than desktop.
Does LanguageTool work offline?
LanguageTool’s browser extension and add-on require an internet connection. A self-hosted version is available for technical users who want offline checking.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ Enable grammar suggestions in Tools → Spelling and grammar
- ✅ Install Grammarly Chrome extension for deeper analysis
- ✅ Run Tools → Spelling and grammar check before finalizing any document
- ✅ LanguageTool is a solid free alternative if you write in multiple languages
Install Grammarly Free ↗ ↗Try LanguageTool
Conclusion
Google Docs’ built-in checker handles the basics automatically. Adding Grammarly’s free Chrome extension on top gives you a significantly more thorough review without paying anything extra. Between the two, most grammar and spelling issues will be caught before they make it into a final document. See our guide on Google Docs tips and tricks for more ways to write smarter.