Editing Tips
Advice on the skills you need as a freelance proofreader and editor. Check out our editing tips and advice to develop your abilities and impress your clients.
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What’s a Colloquialism?
What’s a Colloquialism?
Nov 21, 2022
A colloquialism is an informal word or phrase commonly used in everyday conversation and often specific to a geographic region. For example, the word “y’all” (you all) is commonly used in the southern US, but not necessarily elsewhere in the world. Sometimes, a colloquialism’s popularity is a bit more widespread, like “head over heels” (falling […]
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When to Use “I” and “Me” in a Sentence
When to Use “I” and “Me” in a Sentence
Nov 19, 2022
Is 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 […]
Literally and Figuratively: What’s the Difference?
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When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
Nov 13, 2022
Apostrophes 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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7 Essential Skills for Proofreading and Editing
Nov 11, 2022
While you don’t need a specific degree to launch a successful proofreading and editing business, you do need certain skills. And although many freelancers offer both proofreading and editing, those two things are very distinct services that require different skill sets. However, they share many of the same essentials, and if you’re motivated to learn, […]
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Similes and Metaphors: What’s the Difference?
Nov 09, 2022
Have 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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7 of the Best Podcasts About Language
Nov 07, 2022
Podcasts are more popular now than ever before, with a podcast on every topic from paranormal investigations to ancient history. They can be an inspiring educational or proofreading tool as well as a way to make learning more fun. You can even listen to a podcast while doing work and household chores, making them great […]
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Whomever or Whoever: What’s the Difference?
Nov 06, 2022
If 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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Halloween or Hallowe’en?
Oct 31, 2022
Boo! Grab your masks, pumpkins, and bowls of candy. It’s that time of the year again! Halloween is celebrated on October 31 in the US and other parts of the world. Though you’re probably familiar with the spelling “Halloween,” you might have come across an alternative spelling: “Hallowe’en.” In this post, we’ll talk about where […]
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What Is the Standard Manuscript Format?
What Is the Standard Manuscript Format?
Oct 28, 2022
Many publishers expect submissions to use a standard manuscript format. As a proofreader or editor, knowing what the standard format requires will allow you to better help your clients. Read on to find out what the standard manuscript format is and when it should be used. What is the Standard Manuscript Format? The standard manuscript […]
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How to Use Semicolons (With Examples)
How to Use Semicolons (With Examples)
Oct 24, 2022
A 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 […]