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 Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?
What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?
Mar 18, 2023
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)
Mar 13, 2023
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 […]
How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
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How to Save Your Revisions in Microsoft Word
Feb 27, 2023
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?
Feb 20, 2023
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 uses the spelling […]
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How to Cite Translated Works in APA Style
Feb 18, 2023
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?
Feb 13, 2023
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?
Jan 28, 2023
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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What Is a Misplaced Modifier? (With Examples)
Jan 23, 2023
Understanding common grammar errors and how to fix them is a key part of working as a proofreader. In this post, we explain what misplaced modifiers are and what you can do when you spot them in your clients’ work. What Is a Misplaced Modifier? Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe another part […]
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What Is an Adjectival Noun?
What Is an Adjectival Noun?
Jan 21, 2023
You might know of adjectives as words used to describe nouns, such as the yellow jacket or silly song. But can a noun ever work the way an adjective does? The answer is yes . . . sometimes. An adjectival noun functions as an adjective and is located before another noun in a sentence. Want […]
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What Is a Dangling Modifier? (With Examples)
What Is a Dangling Modifier? (With Examples)
Jan 16, 2023
As a proofreader, you’ll need to spot and fix grammatical errors. One of the most common of these is the dangling modifier. In this post, we’ll provide a crash course on what dangling modifiers are, how to identify them, and what to do with them when proofreading. What Is a Dangling Modifier? A modifier is […]
