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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    Can You Start a Sentence with a Conjunction?

    Can You Start a Sentence with a Conjunction?

    Published Nov 21, 2021
    Last Updated Nov 26, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    As a proofreader, you need to be able to spot and fix grammatical errors. You may have been taught that starting a sentence with a conjunction is one of these errors, but this is in fact a common grammar myth! In this post, we’ll explain what a coordinating conjunction is and why you probably don’t […]

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    Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Scare Quotes

    Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Scare Quotes

    Published Oct 31, 2021
    Last Updated May 16, 2023

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    As a proofreader, what scares you the most? If scare quotes are the spookiest things you can think of, don’t worry. It might be Halloween, but there’s no reason to fear them! As long as you know what they are and when it’s appropriate to use them, you’ll know exactly what to do when they […]

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A Proofreader’s Guide to Straight and Curly Quotes

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    Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices

    Published Sep 23, 2021
    Last Updated Nov 12, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    A good proofreader will know how to spot and correct common punctuation errors. One of the most common of these is the comma splice. But what exactly are comma splices, and how can you fix them? Read on to find out more. What Are Comma Splices? A comma splice is what happens when two independent […]

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    Editing Tips: What to Do with Variant Spellings

    Published Jul 08, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 20, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Dialects
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    If you want to pursue a career in proofreading, sooner or later you will encounter words that have variant spellings . In this post, then, we’re going to look at some common types of variant spellings and how to proofread them. Becoming A Proofreader If you would like to brush up on the basics of […]

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    Proofreading Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style

    Published Jul 01, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 26, 2024

    • Academic Writing
    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation
    • Style

    The MHRA Style Guide is often used in the humanities, especially in the UK. But what does a proofreader need to know when working on a document that follows this style? In this post, we will look at the rules for punctuation in MHRA style, including: General guidelines about the overall punctuation conventions in MHRA […]

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    5 Easy-To-Miss Apostrophe Errors

    Published Jun 10, 2021
    Last Updated Oct 07, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    A good proofreader will always check for apostrophe errors. And, as a proofreader, you should know the basics of how this punctuation mark works already. However, some apostrophe errors are easier to miss! In this post, we will explore five easy-to-miss errors to look out for: Exceptions to the rules about possessives and words that […]

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    Editing Tips: Does a Comma Indicate a Pause?

    Published May 13, 2021
    Last Updated Nov 20, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    One of the first things most people learn about commas is that they indicate a pause. And most writers add a comma wherever they would also pause in speech. When proofreading, though, you need to be more discerning. So, when does a comma indicate a pause? And what else do you need to know as […]

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    Proofreading Tips: Prepositions in Title Case

    Published May 02, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 25, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips

    In title case – a common approach to styling titles and headings – the first letters of the main words in a title are prepositions in titles. Title Case and Prepositions If you want to know more, sign up for a free trial of the course today!

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    Editing Tips: Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism

    Editing Tips: Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism

    Published Apr 15, 2021
    Last Updated May 16, 2023

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    As a proofreader, you may come across the terms prescriptivism and descriptivism. Each refers to a way of thinking about language. But what are the differences? In short: Prescriptivism takes language to be governed by formal rules. usage depends on following these rules. Descriptivism focuses on observing how language is used rather than imposing rules. […]

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    Proofreading Tips: What Is Oxford Spelling?

    Proofreading Tips: What Is Oxford Spelling?

    Published Apr 08, 2021
    Last Updated Jun 26, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Dialects
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    As a proofreader, you might come across the term Oxford spelling. But what does this mean? And how should you approach a document if your client specifies using it? In this post, we explain everything you need to know to proofread documents effectively. If you’re not sure which spelling to use for a term, check […]

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