Proofreading Tips

Whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced proofreader, there’s always something new to learn. That’s where our blogs come in! We've got expert advice on spelling, grammar, punctuation, referencing, proofreading different types of writing (from creative to business and academic), and much more!

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    Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Scare Quotes

    Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Scare Quotes

    Oct 31, 2021

    • 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

    A Proofreader’s Guide to Straight and Curly Quotes

    Oct 28, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    Quotation marks may seem simple, but if you’ve got a keen eye as all good proofreaders should you might notice some variety in these little symbols. In fact, quotes come in two distinct styles: straight and curly (or ). In this post, then, we’ll explain: The difference between straight and curly quotes. How to toggle […]

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Proofreading Tips: How to Proofread Quotations

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    Proofreading Tips: Numbers in AP Style

    Oct 17, 2021

    • Business Writing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Created by journalists to help public-facing writing in 1953, The AP Stylebook is still one of the most commonly used American English style guides around. As a proofreader, you’ll often need to check the formatting of numbers when working with a client who writes in AP style. This post will take you through how to […]

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    State Abbreviations in AP Style

    Sep 26, 2021

    • Business Writing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    The Associated Press is a popular style guide for public-facing corporate communication. Proofreaders will most likely encounter it while working with journalists or PR specialists in the US. And the AP Stylebook has some pretty specific rules for abbreviations, including state abbreviations. As a proofreader, then, you should be on the lookout for any instances […]

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    Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Proofreaders

    Sep 25, 2021

    • Proofreading Resources
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you’re a freelance proofreader, you’ll likely spend a lot of time using a laptop or computer. And knowing some keyboard shortcuts can make your life much easier when proofreading a document. Plus, the faster you can proofread, the more you can earn! In this post, we’ll take you through a few useful keyboard shortcuts, […]

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    Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices

    Sep 23, 2021

    • 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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    5 Commonly Confused Words to Look Out for While Proofreading

    Aug 28, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    If you’re a proofreader, you’ll most likely find it easy to spot common spelling mistakes and typos. But some words might still catch you out from time to time. In this post, then, we’re looking at five commonly confused words that proofreaders should keep an eye out for. Becoming A Proofreader Have you got an […]

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    Proofreading Tips: How to Fix Ghost Formatting in MS Word

    Aug 01, 2021

    • Formatting
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    When working as a proofreader, you might find that some clients ask you to correct the formatting of a document. But have you ever come across a layout issue in Microsoft Word that seems impossible to fix? If so, you may have experienced the spectre of ghost formatting. This post will explain what this means […]

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    Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF

    Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF

    Jul 22, 2021

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    As a freelance proofreader, you may be asked to proofread a PDF at some point. And if you’re used to the tools in Microsoft Word, the process for marking up a different type of document can seem daunting. Once you get the hang of it, though, proofreading a PDF is simple. In this post, we’ll […]

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    Dos and Don'ts for New Proofreaders

    Dos and Don'ts for New Proofreaders

    Jul 18, 2021

    • Proofreading Tips

    You’ve brushed up on your grammar, read the dictionary cover to cover, and you want to become a proofreader. Good start! But while good grammar and spelling is essential, sometimes it’s small mistakes that trip up new proofreaders. To help you avoid common mistakes, we’ve compiled our top five dos and don’ts for new proofreaders: […]

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