Proofreading Tips
Whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced proofreader, there’s always something new to learn. That’s where our blogs come in! We've got expert advice on spelling, grammar, punctuation, referencing, proofreading different types of writing (from creative to business and academic), and much more!
When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
When to Use Possessive Apostrophes
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 […]
7 of the Best Podcasts About Language
7 of the Best Podcasts About Language
Nov 07, 2022
Podcasts are more popular now than ever before, with a podcast on every topic from paranormal investigations to ancient history. They can be an inspiring educational or proofreading tool as well as a way to make learning more fun. You can even listen to a podcast while doing work and household chores, making them great […]
Whomever or Whoever: What’s the Difference?
How to Use Semicolons (With Examples)
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 […]
Common Homophone Errors (and How to Avoid Them)
Oct 17, 2022
It’s time for a flashback to elementary school. Remember the unit on homophones, way back when? Homophones are words with the same pronunciation but different meanings and spellings (e.g., “wait” and “weight”). Many people mistake one term for the other when writing homophones. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common homophone […]
The Bad Big Wolf? A Proofreader’s Guide to Adjective Order
Oct 08, 2022
If the phrases “black little dress” and “red dry wine” sound strange in your head, you have intrinsic knowledge of English adjective order. When we use multiple adjectives to modify a noun or nouns, they don’t fall into a random sequence. Rather, they follow a pattern based on their function. In fact, most native English […]
What Is an Executive Summary? (And How to Edit One)
Sep 21, 2022
If you’re a proofreader or editor who specializes in business writing, you’ll need to know how to edit an executive summary. An executive summary is a short overview of a business document that outlines the basic topics covered. In today’s post, we’ll explain executive summaries in more detail before giving you some tips on how […]
How to Proofread and Edit an Academic CV
Sep 15, 2022
If you’ve worked with professional CVs before, you may feel prepared to proofread and edit an academic CV. But there are some important differences between professional and academic CVs that you should know about. In this blog post, we give a brief guide to the content and structure of an academic CV and set out […]
Proofreading Tips: When Should You Write Out Numbers in Full?
Aug 12, 2022
Style guides vary a lot on even the basics of how to write numbers. APA style, for instance, recommends writing out numbers under 10 as words and using numerals for larger numbers. But Chicago style recommends writing out numbers up to and including 100. And MLA style recommends writing out any number that can be […]
Common Clichés (And How to Avoid Them)
Common Clichés (And How to Avoid Them)
Aug 10, 2022
Part of your job as a proofreader or editor is to help your client avoid clichés in their writing. This will involve highlighting overused terms and phrases and suggesting less clichéd alternatives. But to do this, you’ll first need to know what clichéd language is and how to spot it. This is where our guide […]
Proofreading Tips: A Guide to Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Proofreading Tips: A Guide to Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Aug 04, 2022
Common nouns can be either countable or uncountable. But what does this mean in practice? And what does a proofreader need to know about countable and uncountable nouns? In this post, we set out the basics of how these noun types work and some common errors to look out for. What Are Countable Nouns? Countable […]