proofreading tips
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Native Speaker vs. Fluent Speaker: Which Term Is Best?
Native Speaker vs. Fluent Speaker: Which Term Is Best?
Apr 03, 2023
The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading recently announced that it’s asking its writers to stop using the terms “native” or “non-native” when referring to language speakers – and is instead advising that they use “fluent” or “non-fluent.” At Knowadays, we’ve opted to do the same and will no longer use these phrases in our […]
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How to Check Unfamiliar Terms in Different English Dialects
How to Check Unfamiliar Terms in Different English Dialects
Apr 01, 2023
Even for fluent speakers, English is not the easiest language to master. English has a rich history, and because of that, many English dialects exist that can differ in spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. As proofreaders and editors, having an opportunity to work with people from anywhere in the world is great, but it means we […]
Who vs. That: What’s the Difference?
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Does Punctuation Go Inside or Outside of Quotation Marks?
Mar 25, 2023
Quotation marks might seem like a minor detail, but they play a major role in helping readers understand what’s being said, cited, or shouted in a sentence. Whether you’re presenting character dialogue in a novel or referencing expert insights in an essay, quotation marks and the surrounding punctuation guide the reader through who said what. […]
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How to Use Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions
Mar 20, 2023
Coordinating conjunctions can be confusing for new proofreaders, especially when commas are involved. We’re here to make things clear for you with our guide to using commas with coordinating conjunctions. What Are Coordinating Conjunctions? Coordinating conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, or clauses together. We have seven coordinating conjunctions in English, which can be […]
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What Are Dependent and Independent Clauses?
Mar 18, 2023
Understanding independent and dependent clauses is essential to writing and editing – but how exactly are they different? And how should you punctuate sentences with independent and dependent clauses? We’ve got the answers! Keep reading to learn what makes a clause independent or dependent and how to write both correctly. What Is a Clause? A […]
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11 Uncommon Punctuation Marks (and How to Use Them)
Mar 13, 2023
There’s no doubt about it: punctuation is an integral part of writing. We use it to mark pauses, pose questions, emphasize certain ideas, and clarify meaning. You’ll already be familiar with the usual suspects – periods, commas, exclamation points, question marks, and so on – but did you know there are some weird and wonderful […]
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How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
Mar 06, 2023
Ellipses, also known as “dot, dot, dot,” are a type of punctuation with many purposes. In this guide, we explore what ellipses are and how you can help your clients make the most of them in their writing. What Is an Ellipsis? An ellipsis is a form of punctuation consisting of three dots (or periods): […]
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How to Save Your Revisions in Microsoft Word
Feb 27, 2023
To work as a freelance proofreader, it’s essential that you know the basics of popular word processing software such as Microsoft Word. One of the Microsoft Word tools that proofreaders use is the Compare feature, which allows you to generate both a Clean copy and a Track Changes copy to return to the client. Does […]
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British vs. American English: -Ise or -Ize?
British vs. American English: -Ise or -Ize?
Feb 20, 2023
The verb endings “-ise” and “-ize” often get confused. Usually, the correct ending depends on which English dialect your client is using. Here’s our guide on using these spellings in British and American English and what you need to consider when proofreading. British vs. American Spelling For the most part, American English uses the spelling […]
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How to Cite Translated Works in APA Style
How to Cite Translated Works in APA Style
Feb 18, 2023
Let’s talk about APA references! You may feel confident citing straightforward sources – but what do you do if you come across something that’s not as common? If you’re conducting research or editing an academic text, you may come across a work that’s been translated from a different language. It’s important to know how to […]
