Vocabulary Tips

An archive of posts covering vocabulary tips and word choice. Find out more about the common linguistic errors. Check out our editing advice to make sure you can proofread and edit documents effectively.

  • The Ultimate Glossary of Proofreading and Editing Terms

    The Ultimate Glossary of Proofreading and Editing Terms

    May 20, 2022

    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Every new skill brings with it a host of new terminology. For disciplines as complex and varied as proofreading and editing, the terminology can sometimes be overwhelming. But never fear! In today’s extra special post, we bring you the Ultimate Glossary of Proofreading and Editing Terms. Why Is an Editing and Proofreading Glossary Helpful? At […]

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  • 5 Commonly Confused Words to Look Out for While Proofreading

    5 Commonly Confused Words to Look Out for While Proofreading

    Aug 28, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling
    • Vocabulary Tips

    If you’re a proofreader, you’ll most likely find it easy to spot common spelling mistakes and typos. But some words might still catch you out from time to time. In this post, then, we’re looking at five commonly confused words that proofreaders should keep an eye out for. Becoming A Proofreader Have you got an […]

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  • Editing Tips: A Rough Guide to English Dialects

    Apr 11, 2021

    • Dialects
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    English has a lot of dialects! Our Becoming a Proofreader course covers British, Australian, and American English. These are the three main dialects used internationally, but there are many other English dialects you might encounter as a proofreader. In this post, we look at a few examples. Dialects and Proofreading Why are dialects relevant to […]

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  • 5 More Misused Phrases to Look Out for While Proofreading

    Mar 21, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling
    • Vocabulary Tips

    As a proofreader, you need to be on the lookout for misspelled words and phrases. To help you on this count, we previously looked at five commonly misused phrases. But there are plenty more to look out for! In this post, we’ll take you through five more. 1. Wet Your Appetite (Whet Your Appetite) The phrase […]

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  • Proofreading and Editing Tips: A Proofreader’s Guide to Latin Plural Word Endings

    A Proofreader’s Guide to Latin Plural Word Endings

    Mar 07, 2021

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Spelling
    • Vocabulary Tips

    From abacus to virus, lots of English nouns have origins in Latin. These words can pose a challenge for proofreaders, though, as many have two plural forms. Here, we’ll look at: Some common Latin plural word endings. The difference between traditional and English Latin plurals. The exceptions to the rules. Common Latin Plural Word Endings […]

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  • Proofreading Tips: Editing Gendered Language

    Jan 24, 2021

    • Editing Tips
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Style
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Many companies and individuals now aim to make their writing gender neutral. And, as a proofreader, you may have to help them achieve this. In this post, we’re going to look at some common examples of gendered language you may need to watch out for: The gendered pronoun being used as a neutral or default […]

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  • Editing Tips: What to Do with Biased Language

    Dec 17, 2020

    • Editing Tips
    • Professional
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    When editing a document, you might notice language that some might find offensive. But what should you do about biased language as a proofreader? In this post, we offer a few tips about what to look out for and how to handle biased language if you encounter it. What Counts as Biased Language? As with […]

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  • 5 Tips for Proofreading Different English Dialects

    Nov 29, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Editing Tips
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Punctuation
    • Spelling
    • Vocabulary Tips

    One benefit of freelance proofreading is that you can work with clients all around the world. But this may mean you encounter English dialects that differ from the one you know best. And while this can pose challenges for proofreaders, we have a few tips that can help: Set the language preferences in your word […]

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  • 5 Misused Phrases to Watch Out for While Proofreading

    5 Misused Phrases to Watch Out for While Proofreading

    Jul 19, 2020

    • Common Errors
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    Proofreading is much easier when you know what to look for in a document. That’s why we cover many common errors in our Becoming A Proofreader course. And to help you spot even more mistakes, in this post, we’re looking at five commonly misused phrases. First Come, First Serve (First Come, First Served) That’s it […]

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  • Writing the Time: AM and PM or a.m. and p.m.?

    Writing the Time: AM and PM or a.m. and p.m.?

    May 14, 2020

    • Editing Tips
    • Other Errors
    • Proofreading Tips
    • Vocabulary Tips

    AM and PM are terms used when writing times. However, there are a few different ways to write them, which can be tricky when proofreading. Should you just aim for consistency? Or is there a correct way to do it in certain contexts? In this post, we explore: What the terms AM and PM mean. […]

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