Vocabulary Tips
Get to grips with the vocabulary that you'll encounter as a freelance proofreader, editor, or writer. With in-depth definitions, helpful side-by-side comparisons, and glossaries of terms – we've got you covered.
-
The Ultimate Glossary of Proofreading and Editing Terms
The Ultimate Glossary of Proofreading and Editing Terms
Published May 20, 2022
Last Updated Apr 15, 2025Every new skill brings with it a host of new terminology. For disciplines as complex and varied as proofreading and editing, that terminology can sometimes be overwhelming. But fear not! In this blog post, we present to you The Ultimate Glossary of Proofreading and Editing Terms – our guide to the language of the trade. […]
-
Editing Tips: What Is Alphabet Soup?
Editing Tips: What Is Alphabet Soup?
Published Apr 18, 2021
Last Updated Jun 26, 2024A dedicated proofreader will have an appetite for all kinds of text. But if there’s one literary meal that no editor or proofreader likes to see, it’s alphabet soup. What is alphabet soup in a writing context, though? And why is it a problem? In this post, we explain the basics and what to do […]
Editing Tips: Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism
-
Editing Tips: A Rough Guide to English Dialects
Published Apr 11, 2021
Last Updated May 16, 2023English has a lot of dialects! Our Becoming a Proofreader course covers British, Australian, and American English. These are the three main dialects used internationally, but there are many other English dialects you might encounter as a proofreader. In this post, we look at a few examples. Dialects and Proofreading Why are dialects relevant to […]
-
A Proofreader’s Guide to Latin Plural Word Endings
Published Mar 07, 2021
Last Updated Nov 26, 2024From abacus to virus, lots of English nouns have origins in Latin. These words can pose a challenge for proofreaders, though, as many have two plural forms. Here, we’ll look at: Some common Latin plural word endings. The difference between traditional and English Latin plurals. The exceptions to the rules. Common Latin Plural Word Endings […]
-
Proofreading Tips: Editing Gendered Language
Published Jan 24, 2021
Last Updated Jul 08, 2024Many companies and individuals now aim to make their writing gender neutral. And, as a proofreader, you may have to help them achieve this. In this post, we’re going to look at some common examples of gendered language you may need to watch out for: The gendered pronoun being used as a neutral or default […]
-
What to Do with Biased Language
Published Dec 17, 2020
Last Updated Jan 10, 2025When editing a document, you might notice language that some might find offensive. But what should you do about biased language as a proofreader? In this post, we offer a few tips about what to look out for and how to handle biased language if you encounter it. What Counts as Biased Language? As with […]
-
What are Stacks and Ladders?
Published Oct 18, 2020
Last Updated Mar 14, 2025Previously, we’ve looked at widows and orphans, which thankfully did not involve any husbands or parents dying. Today, we look at stacks and ladders, which will not involve any literal piling or climbing. What are these metaphorical stacks and ladders, then? And what do they have to do with proofreading? Check out our simple guide […]
-
Editing Tips: What Are Word Divisions?
Published Aug 09, 2020
Last Updated Aug 07, 2023When proofreading a typeset text, such as the page proofs for a book, you may need to look for issues with word divisions. But what is a word division in proofreading? And how should proofreaders approach them when checking a document? In this post, we explain the basics. What Are Word Divisions? Part of typesetting […]
-
Proofreading and Diacritics in English
Proofreading and Diacritics in English
Published Apr 19, 2020
Last Updated Feb 29, 2024Diacritics – sometimes known as accents – are used in writing to tell us how to pronounce a word. But do we really use diacritics in English? Do you need to worry about diacritic marks when proofreading? And, if so, how do you add them in Microsoft Word? Let us explain! How Do Diacritics Work […]
-
Proofreading Tips: Working With Religious Terms
Proofreading Tips: Working With Religious Terms
Published Feb 03, 2019
Last Updated Oct 04, 2023And lo, the proofreader corrected the spelling and the grammar, and she did separate sentence from sentence with proper punctuation. For six days she did this, and on the seventh day she did this also, for she worked freelance and could not afford to rest. Don’t worry, we haven’t changed our style to reflect the […]
