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!
-
Literally and Figuratively: What’s the Difference?
Literally and Figuratively: What’s the Difference?
Published Nov 16, 2022
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024The 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 […]
-
When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
Published Nov 13, 2022
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Apostrophes 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 […]
7 of the Best Podcasts About Language
-
Whomever or Whoever: What’s the Difference?
Published Nov 06, 2022
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024If 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 […]
-
How to Use Semicolons (With Examples)
Published Oct 24, 2022
Last Updated Jun 20, 2024A 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 […]
-
Common Homophone Errors (and How to Avoid Them)
Published Oct 17, 2022
Last Updated May 27, 2025Do you remember learning about homophones in school, way back when? Well, it’s time for a refresher! Homophones can be a tricky part of writing in English – even for fluent speakers. In this post, we’ll look at the different types of homophones, some of the most common homophone errors, and how to correct these […]
-
The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order
Published Oct 08, 2022
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024If the phrases “black little dress” and “red dry wine” sound strange in your head, you have intrinsic knowledge of English adjective order. When we use multiple adjectives to modify a noun or nouns, they don’t fall into a random sequence. Rather, they follow a pattern based on their function. In fact, most native English […]
-
What Is an Executive Summary? (And How to Edit One)
Published Sep 21, 2022
Last Updated Apr 07, 2025If you’re an editor who specializes in business writing, you’ll need to know what an executive summary is and how to edit one. Executive summaries are key to saving time and resources. They allow busy professionals to quickly understand the main points of a report, proposal, or business plan. But what goes into a good […]
-
How to Proofread and Edit an Academic CV
Published Sep 15, 2022
Last Updated May 16, 2023If you’ve worked with professional CVs before, you may feel prepared to proofread and edit an academic CV. But there are some important differences between professional and academic CVs that you should know about. In this blog post, we give a brief guide to the content and structure of an academic CV and set out […]
-
Proofreading Tips: When Should You Write Out Numbers in Full?
Proofreading Tips: When Should You Write Out Numbers in Full?
Published Aug 12, 2022
Last Updated Nov 18, 2024Style guides vary a lot on even the basics of how to write numbers. APA style, for instance, recommends writing out numbers under 10 as words and using numerals for larger numbers. But Chicago style recommends writing out numbers up to and including 100. And MLA style recommends writing out any number that can be […]
-
Common Clichés (and How to Avoid Them)
Common Clichés (and How to Avoid Them)
Published Aug 10, 2022
Last Updated May 28, 2025Part of your job as a proofreader or editor is to help your client avoid clichés in their writing. This will involve highlighting overused terms and phrases and suggesting less clichéd alternatives. But to do this, you’ll first need to know what clichéd language is and how to spot it. This is where our guide […]
