Vocabulary Tips
An archive of posts covering vocabulary tips and word choice. Find out more about the common linguistic errors. Check out our editing advice to make sure you can proofread and edit documents effectively.
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Proofreading and Plain English
Proofreading and Plain English
Jun 03, 2021
Using plain English is a key skill in modern communications. But what does plain English involve? And what does a proofreader need to know about it? In this post, we explain the basics of plain English for proofreaders. What Is Plain English? In layman’s terms, plain English means… well, layman’s terms. It refers to using […]
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Editing Tips: What Is Alphabet Soup?
Editing Tips: What Is Alphabet Soup?
Apr 18, 2021
A 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
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Editing Tips: A Rough Guide to English Dialects
Apr 11, 2021
English 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 […]
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A Proofreader’s Guide to Latin Plural Word Endings
Mar 07, 2021
From 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 […]
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Proofreading Tips: Editing Gendered Language
Jan 24, 2021
Many 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 […]
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Editing Tips: What to Do with Biased Language
Dec 17, 2020
When 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 […]
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Editing Tips: Stacks and Ladders Explained
Oct 18, 2020
Previously, 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 […]
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Editing Tips: What Are Word Divisions?
Aug 09, 2020
When 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 […]
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Proofreading and Diacritics in English
Proofreading and Diacritics in English
Apr 19, 2020
Diacritics – 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 […]
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An Editing and Proofreading Glossary
An Editing and Proofreading Glossary
Apr 09, 2020
If you want to become a proofreader, it helps to know the lingo. And as with any industry, editing and proofreading has its own terminology. Check out the glossary below to learn a few key terms that you would need to know to become a proofreader or editor. Copy Editing Copy editing typically involves refining […]