Common Errors

In these posts, we look at common errors that proofreaders and editors may encounter in their work. This will include issues related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other aspects of writing.

  • Proofreading Resources: Online Dictionaries

    Proofreading Resources: Online Dictionaries

    Jul 26, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling

    As a proofreader, you may be proud of your vocabulary. But we all need to look up words now and then. And with that in mind, it pays to bookmark a few online dictionaries! Which are the best for hardworking proofreaders? Take your pick from the following… Free Online Dictionaries Of the major print dictionaries […]

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  • Editing Tips: Punctuation in Chicago Style

    Editing Tips: Punctuation in Chicago Style

    Jul 23, 2020

    • Academic Editing
    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation
    • Style

    The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) contains a lot of information on punctuation! Some is just to remind the reader of standard usage ( For instance: We must decide soon for expedience’s sake. Are there any other elements of punctuation you would like to see explained on this blog or in the Knowadays courses? If […]

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5 Misused Phrases to Watch Out for While Proofreading

  • Editing Tips: How to Punctuate Dates

    Jul 09, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation

    There are various ways to punctuate dates. This poses a challenge for proofreaders. Should you correct punctuation in dates in a document? And how does punctuating dates vary in different situations? In this post, we answer your punctuation questions. Punctuating Numerical Date Formats Commas Between Days and Years in Dates The US date format uses […]

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  • Editing Tips: Punctuation in AP Style

    Jun 07, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation
    • Style

    AP style – as set out in The Associated Press Stylebook – provides advice on many elements of writing, including punctuation. But what do you need to know about punctuation in AP style to work as a freelance proofreader? Becoming A Proofreader If you’d like a try a sample module of our Becoming A Proofreader […]

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  • What to Do with the Singular They

    Apr 05, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Becoming A Proofreader Are you interested in becoming a freelance proofreader, but not sure where to begin? Our comprehensive Becoming A Proofreader course is a great place to start! Sign up for a free trial and try it out today.

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  • What to Do with Tentative Language

    Jan 13, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style
    • Vocabulary 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 […]

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  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: Word Choice: Similar Words or Similar Meanings?

    Word Choice: Similar Words or Similar Meanings?

    Mar 20, 2019

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Our rich, annoying language has many words whose meanings are subtly distinct. It also has many words with similar spellings. Sometimes the two intersect and we get a double whammy of confusion. Today, we look at two pairs of words we suspect are trying to catch us out. The first is recur and reoccur, which […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: Working With Religious Terms

    Feb 03, 2019

    • Common Errors
    • Grammar
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation
    • 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 […]

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  • The Ideal Date

    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 […]

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  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: Three Confusing Spellings Explained

    Three Confusing Spellings Explained

    Three Confusing Spellings Explained

    Nov 13, 2018

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling
    • Vocabulary Tips

    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 […]

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