Punctuation
Become a pro at punctuation! Enhance the clarity and flow of your writing by mastering the use of commas, semicolons, hyphens, parenthesis, ellipsis, quotation marks...and various other types of punctuation.
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Proofreading Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style
Proofreading Tips: Punctuation in MHRA Style
Published Jul 01, 2021
Last Updated Jun 26, 2024The MHRA Style Guide is often used in the humanities, especially in the UK. But what does a proofreader need to know when working on a document that follows this style? In this post, we will look at the rules for punctuation in MHRA style, including: General guidelines about the overall punctuation conventions in MHRA […]
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5 Easy-To-Miss Apostrophe Errors
5 Easy-To-Miss Apostrophe Errors
Published Jun 10, 2021
Last Updated Oct 07, 2024A good proofreader will always check for apostrophe errors. And, as a proofreader, you should know the basics of how this punctuation mark works already. However, some apostrophe errors are easier to miss! In this post, we will explore five easy-to-miss errors to look out for: Exceptions to the rules about possessives and words that […]
Hyphens and Dashes in AMA Style
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Punctuation in Other Languages (And Why It Matters for Proofreaders)
Published May 20, 2021
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024Proofreaders are (or should be!) familiar with how common punctuation marks are used in English. But punctuation marks and conventions differ between languages. As a result, when working with ESL clients, you might spot some unusual punctuation in a document. If you do see non-English punctuation in a document, you will need to correct it […]
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Editing Tips: Does a Comma Indicate a Pause?
Published May 13, 2021
Last Updated Nov 20, 2024One of the first things most people learn about commas is that they indicate a pause. And most writers add a comma wherever they would also pause in speech. When proofreading, though, you need to be more discerning. So, when does a comma indicate a pause? And what else do you need to know as […]
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A Proofreader's Guide to Conjunctive Adverbs
Published Feb 25, 2021
Last Updated Nov 18, 2024Conjunctive adverbs are a useful way of linking sentences and clauses in writing. However, the rules for punctuating conjunctive adverbs can be confusing. As a proofreader, then, you may need to look for issues with these terms. In this post, we’ll explain what you need to know. Linking Sentences with a Conjunctive Adverb Conjunctive adverbs […]
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5 Errors New Proofreaders Often Miss
Published Jan 14, 2021
Last Updated Nov 18, 2024Proofreaders need to be careful not to overlook mistakes in text while they work. Here, for instance, we’re going to look at five errors that new proofreaders often miss in documents: Mix-ups involving unfamiliar homophones. Multiple independent clauses combined in a comma splice. Inconsistencies in a document that don’t involve explicit errors. Misplaced or missing […]
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5 Easy-to-Miss Quotation Mark Errors
Published Nov 08, 2020
Last Updated Aug 03, 2023Among other things, a good proofreader will check documents for proper use of quotes and quotation marks. However, there are many easy-to-miss quotation mark errors, including 4. Smart Quotes vs. Straight Quotes In typography, quotation marks come in two styles: Smart (or curly) quote marks – These are standard in most writing now, and most […]
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Editing Tips: Punctuation in APA Style
Published Aug 27, 2020
Last Updated Jun 26, 2024The APA Publication Manual is one of the principal academic style guides. And if you’re proofreading academic writing, especially in the social and Becoming A Proofreader Want to know more about style guides and proofreading? Then our Becoming A Proofreader course could be just what you’re looking for. Sign up for a free trial today […]
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How To Use Punctuation in Chicago Style
How To Use Punctuation in Chicago Style
Published Jul 23, 2020
Last Updated Mar 10, 2025The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) contains a lot of information on punctuation! Some is just to remind the reader of standard usage (e.g. that a sentence should end in a period). But as a proofreader, it pays to know the subtleties of punctuation in Chicago style. Periods and Abbreviations in Chicago Style When it […]
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Editing Tips: How to Punctuate Dates
Editing Tips: How to Punctuate Dates
Published Jul 09, 2020
Last Updated Dec 31, 2024There are various ways to punctuate dates, and this can pose a challenge for proofreaders. When should you correct punctuation in dates in a document? And how does punctuating dates vary in different situations? In this post, we answer your punctuation questions. Punctuating Numerical Date Formats Commas Between Days and Years in Dates The US […]
