Grammar
Take a deep dive into all things grammar! From run-on sentences to misplaced modifiers, to capitalization and coordinating conjunctions, we've got all your grammar questions covered.
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What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?
What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?
Published Mar 18, 2023
Last Updated Jul 23, 2024Understanding independent and dependent clauses is essential to writing and editing – but how exactly are they different? And how should you punctuate sentences with independent and dependent clauses? We’ve got the answers! Keep reading to learn what makes a clause independent or dependent and how to write both correctly. What Is a Clause? A […]
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Such As vs. Like: What’s the Difference?
Such As vs. Like: What’s the Difference?
Published Feb 13, 2023
Last Updated Nov 18, 2024While they may seem interchangeable, the terms “such as” and “like” actually have different meanings and are used in different ways. While “like” is used to compare things with similar characteristics, “such as” is used to introduce specific examples. In this blog post, we’ll explore how and when to use these two terms and what […]
What Is the Subjunctive in English?
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What Is a Misplaced Modifier? (With Examples)
Published Jan 23, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025Understanding common grammar errors and how to fix them is a key part of working as a proofreader. In this post, we explain what misplaced modifiers are, how to spot the most common types, and how you can correct them in any piece of writing. What Is a Misplaced Modifier? Modifiers are words, phrases, or […]
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What Is an Adjectival Noun?
Published Jan 21, 2023
Last Updated Jan 10, 2025You might know of adjectives as words used to describe nouns, such as the yellow jacket or silly song. But can a noun ever work the way an adjective does? The answer is yes . . . sometimes. An adjectival noun functions as an adjective and is located before another noun in a sentence. Want […]
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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)
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 […]
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What Is the Present Perfect Tense? (With Examples)
Published Dec 26, 2022
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024The present perfect tense is one of the most common verb tenses in English, and despite the name containing the word present, it describes actions relating to both the past and present. Does it sound confusing? It doesn’t have to be! Read on for how to recognize and use the present perfect tense. How to […]
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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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Whomever or Whoever: What’s the Difference?
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)
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 […]