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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How to Use Comparatives and Superlatives (With Examples)
How to Use Comparatives and Superlatives (With Examples)
Jan 09, 2023
Comparatives and superlatives can be a confusing part of grammar, particularly for ESL writers. In this guide, we talk you through the rules for forming comparative and superlative adjectives, and what to look out for when proofreading them. What Are Comparatives and Superlatives? Comparatives and superlatives are both types of adjectives. Comparative adjectives are words […]
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One Word or Two? 10 Common Mistakes
One Word or Two? 10 Common Mistakes
Jan 07, 2023
Are you confident about terms being one word or two? If you are, congratulations! If not, though, you’re not alone. Errors of this type are some of the most common in the English language. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most common mistakes so that you’ve got the basics covered – whether you’re […]
What Is the Present Perfect Tense? (With Examples)
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What Is an Oxford Comma? (With Examples)
Dec 21, 2022
Commas can be a confusing part of punctuation, and the Oxford comma is no exception. In this post, we’ll explain what exactly an Oxford comma is and how you should deal with them as a proofreader. The Oxford Comma (AKA The Serial Comma) Commas are used to separate items in a list. An Oxford comma, […]
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What Is Antiquated Language? (And How to Proofread It)
Dec 14, 2022
As people change and advance, so does language. English is no exception to that; some of its words stand the test of time, while others fall from favor and are replaced by new words. In today’s blog post, we’ll shed some light on antiquated language in English and how to proofread it. What Is Antiquated […]
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Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What’s the Difference? (With Examples)
Dec 07, 2022
Copy editing and proofreading are both types of editing that take place toward the end of the publishing process. But while the two terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different tasks. In this post, we break down the differences between copy editing and proofreading and show you how these different types of editing […]
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A Complete Guide to Formatting Tools in Microsoft Word
Dec 04, 2022
Microsoft Word is a popular type of word processing software with a wide variety of features. As a freelance proofreader, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with its tools, as you’ll likely use them as part of your workflow. While proofreading doesn’t always include formatting, many proofreaders offer it as an additional service. Microsoft […]
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What’s a Colloquialism?
Nov 21, 2022
A colloquialism is an informal word or phrase commonly used in everyday conversation and often specific to a geographic region. For example, the word “y’all” (you all) is commonly used in the southern US, but not necessarily elsewhere in the world. Sometimes, a colloquialism’s popularity is a bit more widespread, like “head over heels” (falling […]
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When to Use “I” and “Me” in a Sentence
Nov 19, 2022
Is it “you and me” or “you and I”? This can be a complex question, even for native English speakers. The difference lies in whether you need to use a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. In this post, we’ll dig into what these pronouns are and how to establish when “I” or “me” is […]
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Literally and Figuratively: What’s the Difference?
Literally and Figuratively: What’s the Difference?
Nov 16, 2022
The English language’s waters can be muddy. So too can the difference between this pair of words: literally and figuratively. Literally and figuratively aren’t the same thing, despite what some people may think. Literally used to denote a literal, or letter-by-letter, meaning. People didn’t start to use literally in a figurative sense until about 200 […]
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When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
Nov 13, 2022
Apostrophes are one of the most commonly misused forms of punctuation. As a proofreader or editor, you’ll need to catch apostrophe errors in your client’s work. There are two main uses of apostrophes: to indicate possession and to create a contraction. In this post, we’ll be focusing on the former. Read on to learn the […]