To get good grades, your academic paper or dissertation needs to communicate your ability to write effectively. That is why your academic work needs to be written flawlessly before you submit it to the university. This may not always be an easy task, especially if you struggle to get English grammar and sentence structure right.

To help with this, many students are now turning to AI tools, but while these provide a quick fix by offering automated suggestions, they come with serious limitations. AI do not truly "think"; it relies on outdated data, often provide irrelevant suggestions, and lack the ability to understand nuanced academic contexts.

Let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular AI tools—Grammarly and Hemingway—which might help you identify basic errors and improve readability. However, if you’re serious about producing well-structured, sophisticated academic writing, professional human editing remains the best solution.

Grammarly

To use Grammarly, you will need to download an app on your computer. The app can be installed on both Windows and Mac operating systems, allowing you to access the full range of its features directly from your desktop. You will need to input your text into the Grammarly editor and the tool will automatically detect and highlight grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and spelling issues.

You can also install Grammarly as a plugin in Word, which will allow you to make corrections to your documents as you write them. To get more detailed suggestions, you can always opt for the premium version of the app, which offers advanced features. At the time of writing this article, the price for the premium version is €12, which is approximately £10.

Other than basic grammar errors, Grammarly will offer suggestions for improving sentence structure, word choice, and overall clarity. However, Grammarly’s AI algorithm cannot grasp complex academic arguments or stylistic subtleties. It frequently misinterprets context, making suggestions that can distort meaning or introduce awkward phrasing. While it may catch surface-level mistakes, it fails to enhance coherence, logical flow, or subject-specific language.

  • Need expert proofreading? Unlike AI, our professional proofreaders understand the nuances of academic writing and ensure your work is not just grammatically correct but also well-structured and polished. Get professional proofreading now.

Hemingway Editor

Unlike Grammarly, Hemingway Editor is a web-based tool that can be accessed directly through your browser, which eliminates the need for downloading any apps. Similar to Grammarly, you'll need to copy and paste your work into the editor, make adjustments, and then transfer it back to your Word document. Or you could consider using the Hemingway Editor desktop app or browser extension, which will allow you to edit your work directly in Word.

Once you input your academic work, Hemingway Editor will analyse it for readability, highlighting complex sentences, passive voice usage, and overly dense language. It will provide very basic suggestions for simplifying your writing, improving clarity, and enhancing overall readability. While this may seem helpful, it often oversimplifies academic writing, which requires depth, precision, and formal tone.

As is the case with Grammarly, Hemingway Editor offers a paid version, which can rewrite sentences directly for you. If you opt for it, the Plus Plan will cost you $10 per month, which is around £8.

  • Looking for truly refined academic or stylistic editing? Our experts deliver the human touch that AI simply can’t replicate, enhancing readability while preserving the depth and precision essential for academic work. Discover our academic editing services.

The Bottom Line: AI Can’t Replace Human Expertise

While Grammarly and Hemingway Editor may assist with basic grammar checks, they lack the intelligence to understand academic contexts, discipline-specific writing conventions, or the expectations of your professors.

AI tools may offer a quick fix, but they cannot elevate your work to the standard required for top grades. If you want precise, coherent, and impactful writing, professional academic editing is the only reliable choice.

Need real help with your coursework?
AI tools can't support your academic success—but we can. Collaborate with our editors and academics for assignments that truly meet university standards.
Learn more about how our coursework services can guide you in your academic journey.