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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What's the Difference Between Active and Passive Voice?
What's the Difference Between Active and Passive Voice?
Published Nov 05, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025Do you know the difference between active and passive voice? Don’t worry if you don’t! It’s an area that’s often misunderstood or overlooked, especially by those who are new to proofreading. But understanding the effect and purpose of both the active and the passive voice is valuable for proofreaders and editors. By recognizing the distinction […]
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Halloween or Hallowe’en?
Halloween or Hallowe’en?
Published Oct 31, 2023
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 […]
How and When to Use Sic in a Quotation
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Word Confusion: Biennial vs. Biannual
Published Oct 19, 2023
Last Updated Nov 28, 2024Do you know when to use biennial vs. biannual? While the two words look and sound similar, there is a meaningful difference. Some similar words are so familiar and so different in meaning that, should a client muddle them up, you will notice them right away. For instance, if an essay refers to Darwin’s theory […]
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What Are Auxiliary Verbs? (With Examples)
Published Oct 13, 2023
Last Updated Jul 06, 2024Can 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?
Published Oct 03, 2023
Last Updated Apr 15, 2025Do 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"
Published Sep 27, 2023
Last Updated Dec 15, 2023Effective 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?
Published Sep 19, 2023
Last Updated Mar 26, 2025As 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)
Published Sep 17, 2023
Last Updated Jul 14, 2025Colons 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)
How to Capitalize Titles (4 Common Styles)
Published Sep 12, 2023
Last Updated Nov 25, 2024As 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?
Published Sep 10, 2023
Last Updated Jun 04, 2024If 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 […]
