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’s a Colloquialism?

    What’s a Colloquialism?

    Published Nov 21, 2022
    Last Updated Apr 11, 2024

    • 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

    When to Use “I” and “Me” in a Sentence

    Published Nov 19, 2022
    Last Updated Mar 10, 2025

    • 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?

  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style

    When to Use Possessive Apostrophes

    Published Nov 13, 2022
    Last Updated Mar 04, 2024

    • 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

    Published Nov 07, 2022
    Last Updated Nov 20, 2024

    • Editing Tips
    • 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?

    Published Nov 06, 2022
    Last Updated Mar 04, 2024

    • 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) 

    Published Oct 24, 2022
    Last Updated Jul 28, 2025

    • 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)

    Published Oct 17, 2022
    Last Updated May 27, 2025

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    Do 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 […]

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    The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order

    Published Oct 08, 2022
    Last Updated Nov 26, 2024

    • Common Errors
    • ESL Writing
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips

    If 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 […]

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    What Is an Executive Summary? (And How to Edit One)

    What Is an Executive Summary? (And How to Edit One)

    Published Sep 21, 2022
    Last Updated Apr 07, 2025

    • Business Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    If 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 […]

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    How to Proofread and Edit an Academic CV

    How to Proofread and Edit an Academic CV

    Published Sep 15, 2022
    Last Updated Nov 24, 2025

    • Academic Writing
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you’ve worked with professional CVs before, you may feel prepared to proofread and edit an academic CV. But academic CVs serve a distinct purpose and come with different expectations. In academia, particularly in the US, a CV is used to apply for teaching roles, research positions, fellowships, and grants. Unlike a professional resume, it […]

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