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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UK English vs. US English Punctuation: Key Differences
UK English vs. US English Punctuation: Key Differences
Published Jun 25, 2025
If you’re working as a freelance proofreader, you’ll likely encounter documents written in both UK and US English. And while these dialects share many similarities, there are some crucial differences that can affect your work. Most people know about spelling and vocabulary differences (like organise vs. organize or trousers vs. pants). But when it comes […]
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15 Commonly Misused Phrases to Look Out for While Proofreading
15 Commonly Misused Phrases to Look Out for While Proofreading
Published May 27, 2025
As a proofreader, you need to be on the lookout for misspelled words and phrases. To help you spot mistakes, we’ve compiled a list of commonly misused phrases that you should be aware of while proofreading. Here are fifteen phrases that often trip up writers: 1. First Come, First Serve (First Come, First Served) “First […]
What Is the Difference Between an Acronym and an Initialism?
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Word Confusion: Biennial vs. Biannual
Published Oct 19, 2023
Last Updated Nov 28, 2024Do you know when to use biennial vs. biannual? While the two words look and sound similar, there is a meaningful difference. Some similar words are so familiar and so different in meaning that, should a client muddle them up, you will notice them right away. For instance, if an essay refers to Darwin’s theory […]
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What Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?
Published Apr 17, 2023
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024Affect and effect are examples of homophones – two words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. People frequently confuse the two words because we often use affect and effect in similar contexts. This blog post will explore the difference between affect and effect and help you know which one to use – […]
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10 Egg-Cellent Examples of Eggcorns
Published Apr 08, 2023
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024We’ve all done it – misheard a common phrase and made it our own. The phenomenon even has its own name: an eggcorn. “But that’s not even a real word!” we hear you cry. Well, that’s exactly the point! Although we can’t give you any chocolate eggs for Easter, we can give you a whole […]
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Who vs. That: What’s the Difference?
Published Mar 27, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Although we often replace who with that and vice versa, specific usage rules apply to these words. This blog post will help you understand those rules and provide examples for how to use them. Who vs. That Who and that are relative pronouns. This means we use them to introduce a dependent clause (also known […]
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Does Punctuation Go Inside or Outside of Quotation Marks?
Published Mar 25, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025Quotation marks might seem like a minor detail, but they play a major role in helping readers understand what’s being said, cited, or shouted in a sentence. Whether you’re presenting character dialogue in a novel or referencing expert insights in an essay, quotation marks and the surrounding punctuation guide the reader through who said what. […]
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How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
Published Mar 06, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2025Ellipses, also known as “dot, dot, dot,” are a type of punctuation with many purposes. In this guide, we explore what ellipses are and how you can help your clients make the most of them in their writing. What Is an Ellipsis? An ellipsis is a form of punctuation consisting of three dots (or periods): […]
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British vs. American English: -Ise or -Ize?
British vs. American English: -Ise or -Ize?
Published Feb 20, 2023
Last Updated Jun 03, 2025The verb endings “-ise” and “-ize” often get confused. Usually, the correct ending depends on which English dialect your client is using. Here’s our guide on using these spellings in British and American English and what you need to consider when proofreading. British vs. American Spelling For the most part, American English exclusively uses the […]
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What Is a Misplaced Modifier? (With Examples)
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 […]
