proofreading
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Dialogue Tags: 60 Other Ways to Say “Said”
Dialogue Tags: 60 Other Ways to Say “Said”
Published Sep 11, 2025
Effective dialogue tags are a powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal, helping to bring characters and conversations to life. While the trusty old “said” remains the clearest, least intrusive option, there are countless other options to explore. If you proofread or edit creative writing, you’ve probably encountered manuscripts overloaded with “said.” Today, we’ll show you […]
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UK English vs. US English Punctuation: Key Differences
UK English vs. US English Punctuation: Key Differences
Published Jun 25, 2025
If you’re working as a freelance proofreader, you’ll likely encounter documents written in both UK and US English. And while these dialects share many similarities, there are some crucial differences that can affect your work. Most people know about spelling and vocabulary differences (like organise vs. organize or trousers vs. pants). But when it comes […]
What Are Interrogative Pronouns?
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7 Advantages of a Certificate in Editing and Proofreading
Published Feb 12, 2024
Last Updated Mar 26, 2025Have you ever considered earning a certificate in editing and proofreading to jump-start your freelance career? While many aspiring freelancers focus on either one or the other, taking a course for both at the same time actually has lots of advantages worth considering. In this blog post, we’ll explore 7 key advantages: Keep reading to […]
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What Is a Scopist? (And How to Become One)
Published Dec 11, 2023
Last Updated Jul 08, 2024The work of a scopist is so behind the scenes that the job title doesn’t even appear in the dictionary. The role may seem invisible, but it’s vital to the accuracy of court transcripts. Read on to learn what this job involves and how to become a scopist. What Is Scoping? What indeed? As previously […]
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What Is the Difference Between an Acronym and an Initialism?
Published Nov 30, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025Do you know the difference between an acronym and an initialism? They are both types of abbreviations, and both terms refer to shortened forms made up of a set of capitalized letters (rather than a shortened word, such as Dr.). However, they have different meanings and work in different ways. To help you nail down […]
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How Long Should a Sentence Be?
Published Nov 10, 2023
Last Updated Dec 15, 2023Have you ever wondered how long a sentence should be? Sentence length plays a crucial role in conveying a message effectively. Finding the right balance between conciseness and detail can make or break your content. As a proofreader or editor, you may need to support your clients in adjusting the length of their sentences. In […]
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What's the Difference Between Active and Passive Voice?
Published Nov 05, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025Do you know the difference between active and passive voice? Don’t worry if you don’t! It’s an area that’s often misunderstood or overlooked, especially by those who are new to proofreading. But understanding the effect and purpose of both the active and the passive voice is valuable for proofreaders and editors. By recognizing the distinction […]
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Halloween or Hallowe’en?
Published Oct 31, 2023
Boo! Grab your masks, pumpkins, and bowls of candy. It’s that time of the year again! Halloween is celebrated on October 31 in the US and other parts of the world. Though you’re probably familiar with the spelling Halloween, you might have come across an alternative spelling: Hallowe’en. In this post, we’ll talk about where […]
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Word Confusion: Biennial vs. Biannual
Word Confusion: Biennial vs. Biannual
Published Oct 19, 2023
Last Updated Sep 25, 2025Do you know when to use biennial vs. biannual? While the two words look and sound similar, there is a meaningful difference. Some similar words are so familiar and so different in meaning that, should a client muddle them up, you will notice them right away. For instance, if an essay refers to Darwin’s theory […]
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What Are Auxiliary Verbs? (With Examples)
What Are Auxiliary Verbs? (With Examples)
Published Oct 13, 2023
Last Updated Jul 06, 2024Can you answer the question: “What are auxiliary verbs?” Many fluent English speakers would struggle, even though they use them daily! However, auxiliary verbs play a vital role in constructing sentences. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of auxiliary verbs, including a specific subset called modal auxiliary verbs. You will learn: What […]