Can I use Grammarly for CIPD assignments?

Yes, Grammarly's basic features (spelling, punctuation, and grammar checking) are safe to use. However, avoid AI-powered features like 'Improve it,' 'Rephrase,' or GrammarlyGO, as these can trigger AI detection software. Stick to accepting simple corrections rather than automated rewrites.

Will Grammarly trigger AI detection?

No, using Grammarly for standard spelling and grammar corrections won't trigger AI detectors. People Study Pro includes a built-in AI checker (powered by Originality.ai) so you can verify your work before submission. However, Grammarly's AI rewriting features (paraphrase, rephrase, improve) may trigger detection.

What spelling should I use for CIPD assignments?

CIPD accepts any form of English spelling as long as it's correct and consistent. Choose UK or US English and stick with it throughout your assignment. Set your spell checker to your chosen variant to catch inconsistencies automatically.

How do spelling and grammar affect CIPD grades?

CIPD marking criteria require work to be 'presented to a high standard' for a high pass. Poor spelling and grammar can prevent you achieving a high pass even if your content analysis is strong. Assessors expect professional presentation that reflects HR industry standards.

CIPD Assignment Spelling and Grammar Tips: Tools You Can Safely Use

If you've looked at the CIPD marking criteria, you'll know that achieving a high pass requires work "presented to a high standard." This includes spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Yet many students worry about using tools like Grammarly in case it triggers AI detection software.

This guide explains what's expected, which tools are safe to use, and how to proofread your CIPD assignments without risking academic integrity issues.

Why Spelling and Grammar Matter for CIPD

CIPD marking grids consistently reference presentation standards. At both Level 3 and Level 5, assessors consider:

Clarity of expression: – Can your points be understood easily?

Professional presentation: – Does the work look polished and credible?

Attention to detail: – Have you taken care with your submission?

Poor spelling and grammar can undermine otherwise excellent analysis. If an assessor struggles to understand your sentences, they may miss the insight you're trying to convey. Worse, sloppy presentation suggests a lack of professionalism—something HR practitioners are expected to model.

For a high pass, your work should be virtually error-free and read smoothly throughout.

Tools You Can Safely Use

People Study Pro's Assignment Workspace

The best place to write your CIPD assignments is directly in People Study Pro's dedicated workspace. It's designed specifically for CIPD students and includes everything you need:

Why use it:

Real-time word count: for each question so you hit the right length

Auto-save: means you never lose work

Rich text formatting: for professional-looking answers

Question-by-question organisation: keeps you focused

Built-in AI & plagiarism checking: so you can verify your work before submission

Writing directly in People Study Pro means your work is always backed up, properly organised, and ready to check for originality—all in one place.

Browser Spell Check

Your web browser has a built-in spell checker that works automatically when writing in People Study Pro. It catches obvious typos and common errors without rewriting your work.

Tips:

Right-click on underlined words to see correction suggestions
Choose UK or US English in your browser settings and stick with it consistently
Watch for words that are spelled correctly but used wrongly (their/there/they're)

Why it's safe: Basic spell checking doesn't trigger AI detection because it makes simple corrections without generating new content. The AI detection tool built into People Study Pro (powered by Originality.ai) is not designed to flag standard spelling corrections.

Reading Aloud

One of the most effective proofreading techniques is reading your work aloud. You'll catch:

Awkward phrasing that looks fine but sounds wrong
Missing words your eyes skip over
Sentences that are too long or complex
Repetitive word choices

Some students use text-to-speech software to hear their work read back. This is completely safe and often catches errors you'd otherwise miss.

Peer Review

Asking a friend, family member, or fellow student to read your work is invaluable. Fresh eyes spot errors you've become blind to. Just ensure they're pointing out issues rather than rewriting sections for you.

Tools to Use With Caution

Grammarly's AI Features

Grammarly's premium features include AI-powered rewriting: "Improve it," "Rephrase," "Paraphrase," and GrammarlyGO. These should be avoided or used very carefully.

Why they're risky:

These features generate new text using large language models
AI detection tools often flag this rewritten content
Even Grammarly's own AI detector warns that using their rewriting tools will likely flag text as AI-generated

If you do use them:

Only use suggestions as inspiration, then manually rewrite in your own words
Never accept auto-rewrites for entire sentences or paragraphs
Use People Study Pro's built-in AI checker to test your work before submitting

Paraphrasing Tools

Online paraphrasing tools (QuillBot, Spinbot, etc.) are high-risk for CIPD submissions. They:

Often produce awkward, unnatural phrasing
May introduce factual errors by changing meaning
Frequently trigger AI detection
Can be considered academic misconduct if used to disguise sources

If you're struggling to paraphrase a source, it's better to quote it directly with proper referencing than to run it through a paraphrasing tool.

ChatGPT and Other AI Writers

Using AI to write sections of your assignment is academic misconduct under most training provider policies. CIPD assessments are designed to demonstrate your understanding and application of HR concepts—this can't be outsourced to AI.

Even using AI to "polish" or "improve" your writing risks detection and integrity concerns. The work must be authentically yours.

Proofreading Process for CIPD Assignments

Follow this process for best results:

1. Take a Break First

Never proofread immediately after finishing writing. Your brain fills in what it expects to see rather than what's actually there. Leave at least a few hours—ideally overnight—before proofreading.

2. Run Spell Check

Start with Word's built-in checker to catch obvious typos. Address each suggestion rather than clicking "Ignore All."

3. Check Grammar Tools

If using Grammarly, review its suggestions. Accept spelling and punctuation fixes, but read grammar suggestions carefully—sometimes they're wrong or change your meaning.

4. Read Aloud

Read your entire assignment aloud, or use text-to-speech. Mark any sentences that sound awkward for revision.

5. Check Specific Problem Areas

Focus on common errors:

Their/there/they're, your/you're, its/it's
Affect/effect
Practice/practise (UK) or practice for both (US)
Organisation (UK) or organization (US) – be consistent
Consistent use of Oxford comma (or not)

6. Verify Names and Terms

Check that you've spelled correctly:

Author names in references
Theorist names (Maslow, Herzberg, Ulrich)
Organisation names from case studies
HR terminology

7. Final Read-Through

One last read focusing on meaning and flow rather than mechanics. Does each paragraph make sense? Do your arguments connect logically?

Common Grammar Issues in CIPD Assignments

Run-On Sentences

HR topics can be complex, but sentences shouldn't be. If a sentence has more than two commas, consider breaking it up.

Before:

The organisation implemented a new performance management system, which required all managers to complete training, however many employees felt the process was too time-consuming and bureaucratic, leading to resistance.

After:

The organisation implemented a new performance management system, requiring all managers to complete training. However, many employees felt the process was too time-consuming and bureaucratic, leading to resistance.

Passive Voice Overuse

Academic writing often defaults to passive voice, but it can make sentences vague and wordy.

Passive: "The policy was implemented by the HR team."

Active: "The HR team implemented the policy."

Active voice is usually clearer and more direct. Use passive voice deliberately, not by default.

Inconsistent Tense

Pick a tense and stick with it. If you're discussing a case study organisation, decide whether you're writing in past tense (what they did) or present tense (what they do). Mixing tenses confuses readers.

Apostrophe Errors

It's: = it is ("It's important to...")

Its: = belonging to it ("The organisation and its employees...")

This trips up many students. When in doubt, expand "it's" to "it is"—if the sentence doesn't make sense, you need "its" without the apostrophe.

What If AI Detection Flags My Work?

False positives happen. If you've written your work yourself and only used safe proofreading tools, you should be able to explain this to your assessor.

To protect yourself:

Keep drafts showing how your work developed
Don't over-polish to the point of unnaturally perfect prose
Be prepared to discuss your work verbally if asked
Use People Study Pro's AI and plagiarism checker before submission

Remember that AI detection tools are imperfect. They sometimes flag polished, error-free writing as suspicious simply because it's well-written. This shouldn't deter you from proofreading thoroughly—just be aware that overly "perfect" prose with no personality might raise questions.

Conclusion

Good spelling and grammar contribute to achieving a high pass on CIPD assignments. Use safe tools like Word's spell check and Grammarly's basic features freely. Avoid AI rewriting tools that could trigger detection issues.

The best approach is methodical proofreading: take breaks, read aloud, check specific problem areas, and get fresh eyes on your work. These techniques catch more errors than any automated tool while keeping your work authentically yours.