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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Common Homophone Errors (and How to Avoid Them)
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 […]
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The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order
The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order
Published Oct 08, 2022
Last Updated Jan 30, 2026If the phrases black little dress and red dry wine sound strange in your head, you already have an intuitive grasp of adjective order – even if you’ve never formally studied it. In English, when we use multiple adjectives to build up a picture of a noun, they don’t fall into a random sequence. Instead, […]
What Is an Executive Summary? (And How to Edit One)
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How to Proofread and Edit an Academic CV
Published Sep 15, 2022
Last Updated Nov 24, 2025If 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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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 […]
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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 […]
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A Guide to Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Published Aug 04, 2022
Last Updated Feb 04, 2025Common nouns can be either countable or uncountable. But what does this mean in practice? And what does a proofreader need to know about countable and uncountable nouns? In this post, we set out the basics of how these noun types work and some common errors to look out for. What Are Countable Nouns? Countable […]
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Writing Samples to Help You Practice Proofreading
Published Jul 27, 2022
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024At Knowadays, we love to help you improve your proofreading skills. So today, we’re giving you three short passages of text to practice on. They are written in American English. Just copy and paste each passage into a Microsoft Word document and make any changes you feel are necessary (focusing on clear errors rather than […]
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Is or Are? A Guide to Collective Nouns
Published Jul 20, 2022
Last Updated Nov 28, 2024Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of people or objects, including words like team, family, and crowd. But are they singular or plural? And how do you use collective nouns in a sentence? These are things you need to know as a proofreader. Read on to find out more. Collective Nouns and […]
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A Proofreader’s Guide to Exclamation Point Use
A Proofreader’s Guide to Exclamation Point Use
Published Jul 01, 2022
Last Updated Jun 29, 2024Exclamation points, also known as exclamation marks, are used to express excitement, enthusiasm, and other strong emotions. As a proofreader, though, you may need to help clients avoid overusing them or using exclamations in the wrong situation. So, when should exclamation points be used? And when should a proofreader step in to curb a client’s enthusiasm for […]
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Plagiarism in Business Writing
Plagiarism in Business Writing
Published Jun 28, 2022
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024While plagiarism is less obviously a problem in business writing than in, say, creative or academic writing, it can still be an issue. And a good proofreader may need to highlight plagiarism in their client’s work. But what does plagiarism look like in the context of business writing? And how do you address it? In […]