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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    Halloween or Hallowe’en?

    Halloween or Hallowe’en?

    Last Updated Oct 31, 2023

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation
    • Spelling

    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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    How and When to Use Sic in a Quotation

    How and When to Use Sic in a Quotation

    Last Updated Oct 26, 2023

    • Academic Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Formatting
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    When proofreading, you might see the term sic used in a quotation. However, many people misuse this term or use it when there is an alternative available. As such, proofreaders and editors should make sure they know how and when to use this term in a quotation. In this blog post, we explore: What sic […]

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Word Confusion: Biennial vs. Biannual

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    What Are Auxiliary Verbs? (With Examples)

    Last Updated Oct 13, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Can you answer the question: “What are auxiliary verbs?” Many fluent English speakers would struggle, even though they use them daily! However, auxiliary verbs play a vital role in constructing sentences. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of auxiliary verbs, including a specific subset called modal auxiliary verbs. You will learn: What […]

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  • What Is the Difference Between Proofreading and Editing?

    What Is the Difference Between Proofreading and Editing?

    Last Updated Oct 03, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Do you know the difference between proofreading and editing? People often use the terms interchangeably, but proofreading and editing are, in fact, distinct tasks. In this blog post, we’ll explain: Read on to learn more. The Stages of the Publication Process Editing and proofreading are both ways to polish a piece of writing. However, they […]

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    Dialogue Tags: 10 Other Ways to Say "Said"

    Last Updated Sep 27, 2023

    • Creative Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    Effective dialogue tags are a powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal, helping to bring characters and conversations to life. While the trusty old “said” is a reliable choice, there are countless other options to explore. If you proofread or edit creative writing, you’ve probably encountered manuscripts overloaded with “said” dialogue tags. Today, we’ll show you […]

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    What Are the Different Types of Proofreading?

    Last Updated Sep 19, 2023

    • Proofreading Tips

    As a freelance proofreader, you need to be familiar with the different types of proofreading and the work they involve. You’ll likely work with a wide variety of clients on a range of document types, each of which will have its own requirements.  In this post, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the major types […]

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    How to Use Colons and Semicolons (with Examples)

    Last Updated Sep 17, 2023

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    Colons and semicolons are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two distinct punctuation marks with very different purposes. In this post, we’ll review how to use colons and semicolons and share examples. We’ll cover: Keep reading for more on colons and semicolons! What’s the Difference Between a Colon and a Semicolon? A colon (:) is […]

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    How to Capitalize Titles (4 Common Styles)

    Last Updated Sep 12, 2023

    • Formatting
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    As a proofreader, you need to know how to capitalize titles correctly. However, this process is not always straightforward because the rules about capitalizing titles can vary between different style guides. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to capitalize titles by focusing on the four common styles of title capitalization: Title case, which […]

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    May or Might: What’s the Difference?

    May or Might: What’s the Difference?

    Last Updated Sep 10, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you spot a factual error while proofreading a document, you may or might want to take action. You may point it out in a comment, or you might want to leave it alone. Wait, is there a difference between may and might? You might believe there is no difference, but there is! May and […]

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    How to Spot a Credible Source

    How to Spot a Credible Source

    Last Updated Sep 07, 2023

    • Academic Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations

    Whether you’re a proofreader, an academic editor, or someone who simply wants reliable information, learning how to spot a credible source is vital.  This guide explores everything you need to know: Types of Sources There are many kinds of sources, but they generally fall into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary Sources A primary […]

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