proofreading
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10 Egg-Cellent Examples of Eggcorns
10 Egg-Cellent Examples of Eggcorns
Published Apr 08, 2023
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024We’ve all done it – misheard a common phrase and made it our own. The phenomenon even has its own name: an eggcorn. “But that’s not even a real word!” we hear you cry. Well, that’s exactly the point! Although we can’t give you any chocolate eggs for Easter, we can give you a whole […]
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What Is a Beta Reader? (And How to Become One)
What Is a Beta Reader? (And How to Become One)
Published Apr 07, 2023
Last Updated Jun 09, 2025You’ve probably come across the term, but what exactly is a beta reader? In this post, we’ll break down what a beta reader does, how beta reading differs from editing, and what you can do to become one yourself. What Is a Beta Reader? A beta reader is someone who reads through a book manuscript […]
Native Speaker vs. Fluent Speaker: Which Term Is Best?
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How to Check Unfamiliar Terms in Different English Dialects
Published Apr 01, 2023
Last Updated Dec 15, 2023Even 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 […]
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Who vs. That: What’s the Difference?
Published Mar 27, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2024Although we often replace who with that and vice versa, specific usage rules apply to these words. This blog post will help you understand those rules and provide examples for how to use them. Who vs. That Who and that are relative pronouns. This means we use them to introduce a dependent clause (also known […]
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Does Punctuation Go Inside or Outside of Quotation Marks?
Published Mar 25, 2023
Last Updated May 27, 2025Quotation 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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3 of the Best Jobs for English Majors
Published Mar 22, 2023
Last Updated Mar 25, 2025The knowledge you gain by pursuing an English degree is valuable, no matter what career you choose. English majors develop a variety of marketable skills through their studies – such as writing, research, and critical thinking. If you studied English or are thinking about it, consider a career in proofreading, editing, or copywriting. These options […]
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How to Use Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions
Published Mar 20, 2023
Last Updated Nov 28, 2024Coordinating 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?
Published Mar 18, 2023
Last Updated Jul 23, 2024Understanding 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)
11 Uncommon Punctuation Marks (and How to Use Them)
Published Mar 13, 2023
Last Updated Jun 27, 2024There’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)
How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
Published Mar 06, 2023
Last Updated Mar 04, 2025Ellipses, 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): […]