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!

  • 5 Top Tips for Giving Great Feedback on a Document

    5 Top Tips for Giving Great Feedback on a Document

    Jan 23, 2020

    • Clients
    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips

    Knowadays is about more than just grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It’s about how you can help clients produce excellent writing, which often involves leaving feedback. But how should you comment on a document you’re editing? Let’s find out.

    Read more
  • What to Do with Tentative Language

    What to Do with Tentative Language

    Jan 13, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips

    Tentative language – also known as – is a common feature of many types of writing. But what exactly do we mean by tentative language? And what should you do if you encounter hedging when editing or proofreading a document? In this post, we explain all. What Do We Mean by Hedging? If a document […]

    Read more

Word Choice: Similar Words or Similar Meanings?

  • Proofreading Tips: Working With Religious Terms

    Feb 03, 2019

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    And lo, the proofreader corrected the spelling and the grammar, and she did separate sentence from sentence with proper punctuation. For six days she did this, and on the seventh day she did this also, for she worked freelance and could not afford to rest. Don’t worry, we haven’t changed our style to reflect the […]

    Read more
  • Everybody Loves Referencing

    Dec 13, 2018

    • Academic Editing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Referencing and Citations
    • Style

    You’ve checked the spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You’ve made sure the language is appropriate and flows smoothly. Now comes your favourite bit of academic proofreading. Perhaps you’d like to dress up and pour yourself a glass of wine (alcohol-free, of course: don’t drink and proofread!) before you settle down to the positive treat that is […]

    Read more
  • The Ideal Date

    The Ideal Date

    Dec 11, 2018

    • Common Errors
    • Dialects
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Hello, reader. You look lovely today. We at Knowadays know this may seem a little forward, but… what would your dream date be? Our dates aren’t terribly romantic, but they’re always formatted impeccably. Yes, today we’re talking about the finer points of formatting dates in writing. Regional Differences The main issue that determines date format […]

    Read more
  • Christmas Shopping for Proofreaders

    Nov 18, 2018

    • Lifestyle Tips
    • Proofreading Tips

    If you or a loved one works as a freelance proofreader, the holidays may well be more about dotting the Is than Morecambe and Wise. But even proofreaders deserve a treat this Christmas. So what gifts would make a professional word nerd happy this Yuletide? 1. A Room of One’s Own It’s impossible to pay […]

    Read more
  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: Three Confusing Spellings Explained

    Three Confusing Spellings Explained

    Nov 13, 2018

    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    We understand. You’ve been under a lot of strain recently. A proofreader’s job is not always easy. And sometimes the wrong spellings look so right. But don’t be fazed by or rack your brain over the constrictive straitjacket of spelling. Instead, join us for a look at the origins of these three confusing words, as […]

    Read more
  • Freelance Tips: Shortcuts and Time-Savers to Avoid

    Shortcuts and Time-Savers to Avoid

    Sep 14, 2018

    • Proofreading Software and Tools
    • Proofreading Tips

    Proofreading can be a painstaking process. And when there’s a deadline looming or a frazzled client on your back, it’s very tempting to look for shortcuts. Some of these shortcuts are legitimate time-saving tips that proofreaders should learn to improve their efficiency. But some have no place in proofreading at all. And in this post, […]

    Read more
  • Negative Prefixes

    Negative Prefixes

    Aug 07, 2018

    • Common Errors
    • ESL Writing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    English is a magpie language. It picks up shiny words wherever it can, and it doesn’t care how disorganised its rules become in the process. Or should that be ‘unorganised’? Take prefixes, for instance. We have de-, dis-, un-, and in-, all of which signify that something isn’t the case. And they’re not the only […]

    Read more
  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: Proofreading Creative Writing

    Proofreading Creative Writing

    Proofreading Creative Writing

    Jul 30, 2018

    • Creative Writing
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style

    Truth hurts. That’s why everyday life is full of little white lies, and why most of the human race avoids telling anyone that their baby isn’t all that pretty. But proofreaders aren’t so lucky. Our career is a world of uncomfortable truths. And this is especially true when working with authors and other creative writers. […]

    Read more