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 Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?
What Is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?
Published Apr 17, 2023
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024Affect 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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How to Track Changes in Google Docs
How to Track Changes in Google Docs
Published Apr 10, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Previously, we covered how to use the track changes and compare tools in Microsoft Word. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how to track changes in Google Docs. As a freelancer, you may come across clients who use Google Docs to collaborate on content. Understanding how to use Google Docs’ editing tools […]
10 Egg-Cellent Examples of Eggcorns
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Native Speaker vs. Fluent Speaker: Which Term Is Best?
Published Apr 03, 2023
Last Updated Mar 26, 2025The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading recently announced that it’s asking its writers to stop using the terms “native” or “non-native” when referring to language speakers – and is instead advising that they use “fluent” or “non-fluent.” At Knowadays, we’ve opted to do the same and will no longer use these phrases in our […]
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How to Check Unfamiliar Terms in Different English Dialects
Published Apr 01, 2023
Last Updated Dec 15, 2023Even for fluent speakers, English is not the easiest language to master. English has a rich history, and because of that, many English dialects exist that can differ in spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. As proofreaders and editors, having an opportunity to work with people from anywhere in the world is great, but it means we […]
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Who vs. That: What’s the Difference?
Published Mar 27, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Although we often replace who with that and vice versa, specific usage rules apply to these words. This blog post will help you understand those rules and provide examples for how to use them. Who vs. That Who and that are relative pronouns. This means we use them to introduce a dependent clause (also known […]
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Does Punctuation Go Inside or Outside of Quotation Marks?
Published Mar 25, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025Quotation marks might seem like a minor detail, but they play a major role in helping readers understand what’s being said, cited, or shouted in a sentence. Whether you’re presenting character dialogue in a novel or referencing expert insights in an essay, quotation marks and the surrounding punctuation guide the reader through who said what. […]
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How to Use Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions
Published Mar 20, 2023
Last Updated Nov 28, 2024Coordinating conjunctions can be confusing for new proofreaders, especially when commas are involved. We’re here to make things clear for you with our guide to using commas with coordinating conjunctions. What Are Coordinating Conjunctions? Coordinating conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, or clauses together. We have seven coordinating conjunctions in English, which can be […]
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What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?
Published Mar 18, 2023
Last Updated Jul 23, 2024Understanding independent and dependent clauses is essential to writing and editing – but how exactly are they different? And how should you punctuate sentences with independent and dependent clauses? We’ve got the answers! Keep reading to learn what makes a clause independent or dependent and how to write both correctly. What Is a Clause? A […]
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11 Uncommon Punctuation Marks (and How to Use Them)
11 Uncommon Punctuation Marks (and How to Use Them)
Published Mar 13, 2023
Last Updated Jun 27, 2024There’s no doubt about it: punctuation is an integral part of writing. We use it to mark pauses, pose questions, emphasize certain ideas, and clarify meaning. You’ll already be familiar with the usual suspects – periods, commas, exclamation points, question marks, and so on – but did you know there are some weird and wonderful […]
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How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
Published Mar 06, 2023
Last Updated Jan 08, 2026Ellipses – those familiar “dot, dot, dot” marks – have a surprising range of uses. In this guide, we explore what ellipses are, when to use them, how to format them correctly, and how you can help your clients make the most of them in their writing. What Are Ellipses? An ellipsis (singular) is a […]