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!

  • Who vs That: What’s the Difference?

    Who vs. That: What’s the Difference?

    Who vs. That: What’s the Difference?

    Published Mar 27, 2023
    Last Updated Mar 04, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Although 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_25F_.jpg

    Does Punctuation Go Inside or Outside of Quotation Marks?

    Does Punctuation Go Inside or Outside of Quotation Marks?

    Published Mar 25, 2023
    Last Updated May 27, 2025

    • Common Errors
    • Dialects
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    Quotation 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

  • What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?

    What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?

    Published Mar 18, 2023
    Last Updated Jul 23, 2024

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    Understanding 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, 2024

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    There’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 Mar 04, 2025

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    Ellipses, also known as “dot, dot, dot,” are a type of punctuation with many purposes. In this guide, we explore what ellipses are and how you can help your clients make the most of them in their writing. What Is an Ellipsis? An ellipsis is a form of punctuation consisting of three dots (or periods): […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: How to Save Your Revisions in Microsoft Word

    How to Save Your Revisions in Microsoft Word

    Published Feb 27, 2023
    Last Updated Nov 26, 2024

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    To work as a freelance proofreader, it’s essential that you know the basics of popular word processing software such as Microsoft Word. One of the Microsoft Word tools that proofreaders use is the Compare feature, which allows you to generate both a Clean copy and a Track Changes copy to return to the client. Does […]

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  • British vs American English_ -Ise or -Ize?

    British vs. American English: -Ise or -Ize?

    Published Feb 20, 2023
    Last Updated Jun 03, 2025

    • Common Errors
    • Dialects
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    The verb endings “-ise” and “-ize” often get confused. Usually, the correct ending depends on which English dialect your client is using. Here’s our guide on using these spellings in British and American English and what you need to consider when proofreading.  British vs. American Spelling For the most part, American English exclusively uses the […]

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  • How to Cite Translated Works in APA Style

    How to Cite Translated Works in APA Style

    Published Feb 18, 2023
    Last Updated Dec 15, 2023

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

    Let’s talk about APA references! You may feel confident citing straightforward sources – but what do you do if you come across something that’s not as common?  If you’re conducting research or editing an academic text, you may come across a work that’s been translated from a different language. It’s important to know how to […]

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  • Such as vs. Like: What’s the Difference?

    Such As vs. Like: What’s the Difference?

    Such As vs. Like: What’s the Difference?

    Published Feb 13, 2023
    Last Updated Nov 18, 2024

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    While they may seem interchangeable, the terms “such as” and “like” actually have different meanings and are used in different ways. While “like” is used to compare things with similar characteristics, “such as” is used to introduce specific examples.  In this blog post, we’ll explore how and when to use these two terms and what […]

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  • What Is the Subjunctive in English?

    What Is the Subjunctive in English?

    What Is the Subjunctive in English?

    Published Jan 28, 2023
    Last Updated Dec 12, 2024

    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    The subjunctive is a verb form or “mood” type that typically refers to wishes, demands, proposals, and hypothetical situations (i.e., something that might or could happen). In this post, we will explain what a mood is, and how and when to use the subjunctive mood, especially in UK and US dialects. What Is a Mood? […]

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