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!

  • How to Make an Em Dash in Microsoft Word

    How to Make an Em Dash in Microsoft Word

    Jul 10, 2023

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    An em dash (the longest of the three dashes) is one of the most versatile punctuation marks. Like commas and parentheses, it can be used to set off extra information, or it can be used to introduce a clause that expands on previous information. While some writers consider em dashes less formal than commas, it’s […]

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  • What’s the Difference Between Proofreading and Formatting?

    What’s the Difference Between Proofreading and Formatting?

    Jul 03, 2023

    • Formatting
    • Proofreading Tips

    As a proofreader, you may encounter clients that request both proofreading and formatting services. These could be businesses that want their reports formatted in line with company standards, or graduate students who need their theses or dissertations formatted according to a particular academic style guide. But as a proofreader, should you provide formatting services? The […]

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A Complete Guide to Subject and Object Pronouns

  • How to Fix a Run-On Sentence

    Jun 19, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    As an editor or proofreader, knowing how to fix a run-on sentence is essential. Have you ever encountered sentences that seem to go on and on forever? Or read whole paragraphs consisting of only one or two sentences? While varying sentence length can be important, a common mistake many people make is writing run-on sentences. […]

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  • How to Proofread and Edit AI-Generated Writing

    Jun 14, 2023

    • AI
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    Rapidly advancing AI writing tools such as ChatGPT have already started to impact the world of content creation. And if you’re considering a career as a freelance proofreader or editor, you’re probably wondering how this could affect your future business. The truth is that while AI can produce content quickly and efficiently, it’s not perfect […]

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  • What Are Concrete and Abstract Nouns?

    Jun 12, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    From pigeons to pacifism, all nouns fall into one of two categories: concrete or abstract. As an editor or proofreader, understanding what concrete and abstract nouns are and how they work will help you make sure your clients are communicating clearly. That’s why, in this post, we explain: What Is a Concrete Noun? Concrete nouns […]

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  • Backslash vs. Forward Slash: What’s the Difference?

    May 29, 2023

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    If you look down at your keyboard, you’ll notice that there are two types of slashes: the backslash (\) and the forward slash (/). But do you know the difference between them, and when to use each one? If not, don’t worry! In this blog post, we’ll explain: What is a Backslash? The backslash is […]

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  • Fewer vs. Less: Which Is Correct?

    May 08, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you spotted four grammatical mistakes in one document and three in another, are there less errors or fewer? “Fewer” and “less” have been tripping up writers and editors alike since their introduction. But these two adjectives aren’t as indistinguishable as they might first seem. Read on to discover the difference between “fewer” and “less”, […]

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  • A Complete Guide to First, Second, and Third Person

    A Complete Guide to First, Second, and Third Person

    May 01, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    The first, second, and third persons are present in all forms of writing in English. But what, exactly, do these terms refer to? In our complete guide, we cover everything you need to know about first-, second-, and third-person points of view. What Are First, Second, and Third Person? We use the terms first person, […]

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  • What Is the Difference between E.g. and I.e

    What Is the Difference Between e.g. and i.e.?

    What Is the Difference Between e.g. and i.e.?

    Apr 24, 2023

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you’ve spotted the Latin abbreviations e.g. and i.e. in a sentence, you may have wondered what they mean. While they may appear to mean the same thing initially (in fact, people often mix them up), subtle yet important differences actually exist between them. Keep reading to learn more about how to differentiate e.g. from […]

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  • What Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?

    What Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?

    What Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?

    Apr 17, 2023

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Affect and effect are examples of homophones – two words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. People frequently confuse the two words because we often use affect and effect in similar contexts.  This blog post will explore the difference between affect and effect and help you know which one to use – […]

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