Grammar
A collection of posts about issues related to grammar. Brush up on your skills and make sure you can create grammatically perfect writing with Knowadays.
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5 Tips on How to Write the Perfect Christmas Card
5 Tips on How to Write the Perfect Christmas Card
Dec 18, 2021
It’s that time of year again! Christmas is just around the corner, and you’ve got a lot to do – wrapping presents, buying food, writing Christmas cards… the list goes on. It would be easy to let your proofreading standards slip! But to help you avoid this, we’ve come up with five tips on writing […]
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Proofreading Tips: Cacti or Cactuses? A Guide to Irregular Plurals
Proofreading Tips: Cacti or Cactuses? A Guide to Irregular Plurals
Dec 11, 2021
As a proofreader (or an aspiring one), you should know not all plurals are formed by adding -s to the end of a singular noun. You’ve probably also learned some irregular plurals by heart. But are there rules you should follow here? And how do they work if so? In this post, we’ll look at […]
Proofreading Tips: Noun and Verb Spelling Differences
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Proofreading Tips: Can You Start a Sentence with a Conjunction?
Nov 21, 2021
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 Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Nov 14, 2021
Dangling and misplaced modifiers are common grammar mistakes. In this post, we’ll talk you through how to spot and correct these errors as a proofreader. What Is a Modifier? In grammatical terms, a modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes, clarifies, or alters) another word or phrase within a sentence. A modifier might […]
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Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices
Sep 23, 2021
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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5 Easy-to-Miss Apostrophe Errors
Jun 10, 2021
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! Five easy-to-miss errors to look out for include: Exceptions to the rules about possessives and words that end in Certain proper nouns […]
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Editing Tips: Does a Comma Indicate a Pause?
May 13, 2021
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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Editing Tips: Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism
Apr 15, 2021
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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A Proofreader's Guide to Conjunctive Adverbs
A Proofreader's Guide to Conjunctive Adverbs
Feb 25, 2021
Conjunctive adverbs are a useful way of linking sentences and clauses in writing. However, the rules for punctuating conjunctive adverbs can be confusing. As a proofreader, then, you may need to look for issues with these terms. In this post, we’ll explain what you need to know. Linking Sentences with a Conjunctive Adverb Conjunctive adverbs […]
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Editing Tips: When Are Sentence Fragments Okay?
Editing Tips: When Are Sentence Fragments Okay?
Dec 20, 2020
Strictly speaking, sentence fragments – incomplete sentences that don’t express a complete thought – are ungrammatical. And, as a proofreader, you would usually correct ungrammatical text in a document. But is a sentence fragment always an error? The short answer is Many writers use sentence fragments deliberately, especially in creative writing and commercial copy. In […]