True, but Domain optimizes how something is said. It doesn't recognize how its structure.
And when structure gets misread, clarity breaks down. That's where the Document Type Feature begins.
Where Grammarly
Meets Structure
A Formatting Friction Point In The Grammarly Plug-In
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Background
While applying to jobs and revising my resume, I noticed a recurring issue: Grammarly’s plug-in misread structured formatting, like job titles, dates, and locations, as grammar errors. The suggestions disrupted my layout, creating friction in moments that were already stressful.
With a background in user experience, strategy, and operational workflows, I saw an opportunity: what if Grammarly could recognize formatting logic and edit accordingly?
So, the question is: where do we go from here?
Grammarly flags formatting as grammar, especially in resumes and high-stakes documents. It’s subtle, but the friction is real. Let’s take a look.
The Problem
Grammarly’s mission is to make communication clearer and less stressful. But in its plug-in experience, structured formatting like resumes, cover letters, or legal memos is often misread as grammatical errors. When layout gets treated like language, clarity breaks down, especially in high-stakes writing.
Demo: When Formatting Structure Gets Misread
Before
In this example, Grammarly flags “, May” as a punctuation issue. However, this isn’t a grammatical mistake; it’s part of structured resume formatting: Job Title, Company, Location, Date.
The engine treats layout as language, offering irrelevant suggestions that disrupt structure.
This moment reveals a deeper product gap: Grammarly misreads formatting logic, such as resume headers, as sentence structure.
That misinterpretation creates confusion and breaks clarity in documents where layout carries meaning.
In Grammarly’s setup menu, users choose Domain to define how they’re writing, and Tone to shape how they want to sound.
But the missing link is what kind of document they’re working within.
There’s no way to tell Grammarly what you’re editing. Whether it’s a resume, memo, grant proposal, or legal brief.
Without recognizing formatting logic, Grammarly risks applying tone and grammar rules to the wrong structure.
The result? Suggestions that sound right but break layout, clarity, and flow.
Domain and Tone are powerful, but they operate in isolation.
The goal is to connect them through a shared understanding of structure.
Solution
A small shift in interface.
A big leap in clarity.
After
Proposed Feature :
Grammarly introduces a prompt that asks: “Is this a formatting element? Would you like to preserve the layout?” → Yes / No
This simple interaction helps Grammarly distinguish layout from language, preserving structure while offering context-sensitive suggestions.
When Grammarly detects formatting logic like in the demo video, it pauses and asks: “This looks like structured formatting. Would you like to preserve the layout?”
If the user selects Yes, Grammarly adjusts its grammar engine to respect formatting boundaries and avoid disruptive edits.
If the user selects “No”, Grammarly treats the content as standard text and continues with its default grammar suggestions.
This preserves user autonomy while allowing the engine to offer formatting-aware support only when invited.
Proposed Feature :
In the updated setup menu, Grammarly introduces a new Document Type section between Domain and Tone.
Once a user selects a Domain—like Academic, Business, or Creative—Grammarly suggests relevant document types that match the structure and formatting logic of that category.
For example:
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Choosing Academic reveals options like Research Paper (APA), Thesis, or Lab Report
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Choosing Business reveals Resume, Memo, or Proposal
This helps Grammarly understand not just how you're writing or how you want to sound, but what kind of structure you're working within.
The result? Smarter suggestions that respect layout, preserve clarity, and feel tailored to your document’s format.
Domain sets the rules.
Tone sets the vibe.
Document Type sets the structure.
Together, they create a clarity-first editing experience that honors both voice and format.
Why Now?
01
Format Heavy Writing, Fast Paced Editing
The rise of real-time editing means users need Grammarly to keep pace without breaking layout. When structure is ignored, speed becomes stress.
02
Layout Mistakes Cost Opportunities
In a climate of high unemployment, academic rigor, and high-stakes business communication, formatting clarity is more urgent than ever.
One broken header or misaligned section can cost credibility. Format-aware editing isn’t just helpful, it’s protective.
03
Structure Carries Meaning
Resumes use spacing to signal hierarchy, and proposals rely on section headers to guide decisions.
When Grammarly ignores layout, it flattens logic and disrupts clarity; grammar alone can’t preserve meaning.
04
Friction Lives in the Plug-In
Grammarly’s plug-in is most active in Word and Google Docs, platforms where layout matters most.
Edits often misread bullets, rewrite headers, or disrupt spacing, especially in resumes and research papers.
Without format awareness, suggestions sound polished but land wrong.
05
Format Awareness Builds Trust
Users writing under pressure, job seekers, students, and professionals need edits that protect structure.
Layout helps reduce stress and preserve clarity in high-stakes documents.
A format-aware layer shows Grammarly understands not just how users write, but what they’re writing.
Structured documents rely on layout to communicate meaning—not just grammar
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But we have the
"domain" feature...
Domain is the foundation. Document Type is the evolution.
Even the wheel was reinvented, contrary to popular belief.
What Was Executed:
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UX Research & Insight Mapping
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UX Strategy | Product Experience Strategy
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UI Design & User Flows
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Friction Mapping & Flow Logic
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Systems Thinking & Empathy Design
