Common Errors
Discover a wealth of insights on common writing errors and how to avoid them. These articles break down frequent mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and style, offering practical tips to elevate the quality of your writing. Perfect for anyone striving for clarity and precision in their communication.
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What Is a Dangling Modifier? (With Examples)
What Is a Dangling Modifier? (With Examples)
Published Jan 16, 2023
Last Updated Jun 11, 2025As a proofreader, you’ll need to confidently spot and fix all kinds of errors, including grammatical ones. A common type in this category is the dangling modifier, which can lead to an unclear or downright baffling sentence! To help you understand this grammatical mistake, we’ll explain what dangling modifiers are, how to identify them, and […]
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How to Use Comparatives and Superlatives (With Examples)
How to Use Comparatives and Superlatives (With Examples)
Published Jan 09, 2023
Last Updated Jun 20, 2024Comparatives and superlatives can be a confusing part of grammar, particularly for ESL writers. In this guide, we talk you through the rules for forming comparative and superlative adjectives, and what to look out for when proofreading them. What Are Comparatives and Superlatives? Comparatives and superlatives are both types of adjectives. Comparative adjectives are words […]
One Word or Two? 10 Common Mistakes
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When to Use “I” and “Me” in a Sentence
Published Nov 19, 2022
Last Updated Mar 10, 2025Is it “you and me” or “you and I”? This can be a complex question, even for native English speakers. The difference lies in whether you need to use a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. In this post, we’ll dig into what these pronouns are and how to establish when “I” or “me” is […]
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When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
Published Nov 13, 2022
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Apostrophes are one of the most commonly misused forms of punctuation. As a proofreader or editor, you’ll need to catch apostrophe errors in your client’s work. There are two main uses of apostrophes: to indicate possession and to create a contraction. In this post, we’ll be focusing on the former. Read on to learn the […]
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Similes and Metaphors: What’s the Difference?
Published Nov 09, 2022
Last Updated Jun 04, 2024Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a simile and a metaphor and how to use them in writing? If you’re an editor, particularly of creative writing and fiction, it’s important to know the difference between these two literary devices so that you can advise your client on when to use them – […]
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Whomever or Whoever: What’s the Difference?
Published Nov 06, 2022
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024If you’re confused about when to use whomever or whoever, you’re not alone. In today’s post, we’ll explain the difference between whomever and whoever and how you can determine which one to use. Who and Whom Whoever and whomever take their forms from who and whom, two words that belong to a time when many […]
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How to Use Semicolons (with Examples)
Published Oct 24, 2022
Last Updated Jul 28, 2025A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause, and it typically serves two purposes: linking two closely related independent clauses and separating items in a multipart list. But how are they different from colons? And when is a semicolon a better choice than a comma? As a proofreader, you’ll need to know […]
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Common Homophone Errors (and How to Avoid Them)
Published Oct 17, 2022
Last Updated May 27, 2025Do you remember learning about homophones in school, way back when? Well, it’s time for a refresher! Homophones can be a tricky part of writing in English – even for fluent speakers. In this post, we’ll look at the different types of homophones, some of the most common homophone errors, and how to correct these […]
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The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order
The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order
Published Oct 08, 2022
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024If the phrases “black little dress” and “red dry wine” sound strange in your head, you have intrinsic knowledge of English adjective order. When we use multiple adjectives to modify a noun or nouns, they don’t fall into a random sequence. Rather, they follow a pattern based on their function. In fact, most native English […]
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Common Fallacies (and How to Fix Them)
Common Fallacies (and How to Fix Them)
Published Oct 01, 2022
Last Updated Jul 08, 2024Logical fallacies are deceptive or false arguments that use faulty reasoning to shift the direction of a discussion away from the main point. Whether you’re writing a critical essay or having a heated discussion with your neighbor, being aware of logical fallacies can help you build stronger arguments and establish credibility. As an academic editor, […]
