Common Errors
In these posts, we look at common errors that proofreaders and editors may encounter in their work. This will include issues related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other aspects of writing.
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Transatlantic Differences: 3 Tips on UK vs. US Punctuation
Transatlantic Differences: 3 Tips on UK vs. US Punctuation
Feb 06, 2018
America and the UK have been cultural cousins for some time. For better or for worse, they therefore bear some striking resemblances, such as sharing a language. But there are some important differences in how each country uses English. The differences between UK and US spelling (e.g. organise vs. organize) and word usage (e.g. trousers […]
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Unruly Prefixes: Pre and Pro
Unruly Prefixes: Pre and Pro
Jan 23, 2018
Prefixes. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t communicate without ‘em. Can’t even say prefixes without ‘em. And we can see both how essential and how tricky they are by looking at the words prescribe and proscribe. First, though, some preliminaries. Prefixes for Beginners If you’re pursuing a career in proofreading, you probably know a thing or […]
When Alright and Anymore Aren’t All Right Any More
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Making Verbs Agree
Jan 09, 2018
Do you ever feel like the only voice of reason in a world where all the words hate each other? We do. Sometimes, arranging a sentence so that it reads naturally is a daunting task. This is particularly true of ensuring that verbs agree when dealing with things like compound subjects and collective nouns. So […]
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Ghosts of Typing Conventions Past
Dec 25, 2017
Chapter 1: Common Misconceptions It was Christmas Eve and Mr Scrivener Drudge, a wicked old miser who bore no similarity to anyone that would raise copyright issues, sat gloomily at the computer in his office. His nephew had bought it for him last Christmas after, in a fit of rage, Drudge threw his typewriter at […]
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Hyphens, En Dashes and Em Dashes
Nov 07, 2017
As the supermarkets begin to stock their shelves with exploding hat-and-joke containers, stuffing-flavour crisps and puddings nobody likes, Michael Bublé comes out of his long hibernation. Listen. He is warming up his voice. ‘A kiss is just a kiss,’ he sings. ‘A sigh is just a sigh.’ But is a dash just a dash? Is […]
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Top 5 Grammar Myths
Oct 25, 2017
There comes a time in every proofreader’s life when they’re faced with the unsettling fact that some of the ‘rules’ they have always used are either misleading or downright wrong. This can be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s better to get it over and done with. So grab a cup of strong, sweet […]
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Transatlantic Differences: 3 Tips on UK vs. US Punctuation
Transatlantic Differences: 3 Tips on UK vs. US Punctuation
Feb 06, 2018
America and the UK have been cultural cousins for some time. For better or for worse, they therefore bear some striking resemblances, such as sharing a language. But there are some important differences in how each country uses English. The differences between UK and US spelling (e.g. organise vs. organize) and word usage (e.g. trousers […]
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Unruly Prefixes: Pre and Pro
Unruly Prefixes: Pre and Pro
Jan 23, 2018
Prefixes. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t communicate without ‘em. Can’t even say prefixes without ‘em. And we can see both how essential and how tricky they are by looking at the words prescribe and proscribe. First, though, some preliminaries. Prefixes for Beginners If you’re pursuing a career in proofreading, you probably know a thing or […]