punctuation
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How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
How to Use Ellipses in Writing (With Examples)
Last Updated 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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One Word or Two? 10 Common Mistakes
One Word or Two? 10 Common Mistakes
Last Updated Jan 07, 2023
Are you confident about terms being one word or two? If you are, congratulations! If not, though, you’re not alone. Errors of this type are some of the most common in the English language. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most common mistakes so that you’ve got the basics covered – whether you’re […]
What Is an Oxford Comma? (With Examples)
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When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
Last Updated Nov 13, 2022
Apostrophes are one of the most commonly misused forms of punctuation. As a proofreader or editor, you’ll need to catch apostrophe errors in your client’s work. There are two main uses of apostrophes: to indicate possession and to create a contraction. In this post, we’ll be focusing on the former. Read on to learn the […]
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How to Use Semicolons (With Examples)
Last Updated Oct 24, 2022
A semicolon (;) is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause, and it typically serves two purposes: linking two closely related independent clauses and separating items in a multipart list. But how are they different from colons? And when is a semicolon a better choice than a comma? As a proofreader, you’ll need to know […]
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A Proofreader’s Guide to Exclamation Point Use
Last Updated Jul 01, 2022
Exclamation points, also known as exclamation marks, are used to express excitement, enthusiasm, and other strong emotions. As a proofreader, though, you may need to help clients avoid overusing them or using exclamations in the wrong situation. So, when should exclamation points be used? And when should a proofreader step in to curb a client’s enthusiasm for […]
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A Visit from St. Nicholas (A Festive Proofreading Quiz)
Last Updated Dec 23, 2021
Here at Knowadays, we know the best way to improve your proofreading skills is to get lots of practice. And what better way to than with a festive proofreading exercise? All you need to do is copy and paste the poem below into a Microsoft Word document and see how many errors you can spot […]
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5 Tips on How to Write the Perfect Christmas Card
Last Updated Dec 18, 2021
It’s that time of year again! Christmas is just around the corner, and you’ve got a lot to do – wrapping presents, buying food, writing Christmas cards… the list goes on. It would be easy to let your proofreading standards slip! But to help you avoid this, we’ve come up with five tips on writing […]
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Transatlantic Differences: 3 Tips on UK vs. US Punctuation
Last Updated Feb 06, 2018
America and the UK have been cultural cousins for some time. For better or for worse, they therefore bear some striking resemblances, such as sharing a language. But there are some important differences in how each country uses English. The differences between UK and US spelling (e.g. organise vs. organize) and word usage (e.g. trousers […]
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To Change or Not to Change? When to Edit a Document
To Change or Not to Change? When to Edit a Document
Last Updated Nov 28, 2017
That, as one famously poor speller might put it, is the question. One challenging part of being a proofreader is knowing when to make changes and when to leave well alone. It’s a delicate balance, and it requires more than a set of rules. More than anything, it requires common sense and good judgement. However, […]
