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!

  • What Is Antiquated Language? (And How to Proofread It)

    What Is Antiquated Language? (And How to Proofread It)

    Dec 14, 2022

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    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)

    Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What’s the Difference? (With Examples)

    Dec 07, 2022

    • Editing Tips
    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

  • What’s a Colloquialism?

    Nov 21, 2022

    • Dialects
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    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

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    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?

    Nov 16, 2022

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    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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  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style

    When to Use Possessive Apostrophes

    Nov 13, 2022

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    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 […]

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  • 7 of the Best Podcasts About Language

    Nov 07, 2022

    • Editing Tips
    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips

    Podcasts are more popular now than ever before, with a podcast on every topic from paranormal investigations to ancient history. They can be an inspiring educational or proofreading tool as well as a way to make learning more fun. You can even listen to a podcast while doing work and household chores, making them great […]

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  • Whomever or Whoever: What’s the Difference?

    Nov 06, 2022

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you’re confused about when to use whomever or whoever, you’re not alone. In today’s post, we’ll explain the difference between whomever and whoever and how you can determine which one to use. Who and Whom Whoever and whomever take their forms from who and whom, two words that belong to a time when many […]

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  • How to Use Semicolons (With Examples) 

    How to Use Semicolons (With Examples) 

    Oct 24, 2022

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause, and it typically serves two purposes: linking two closely related independent clauses and separating items in a multipart list. But how are they different from colons? And when is a semicolon a better choice than a comma? As a proofreader, you’ll need to know […]

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  • Common Homophone Errors (and How to Avoid Them)

    Common Homophone Errors (and How to Avoid Them)

    Oct 17, 2022

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    It’s time for a flashback to elementary school. Remember the unit on homophones, way back when? Homophones are words with the same pronunciation but different meanings and spellings (e.g., “wait” and “weight”). Many people mistake one term for the other when writing homophones. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common homophone […]

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