Proofer Says What?

Beware when using then, or them. The letters N and M are close on a keyboard, and the words look very similar. It is a common problem I see that the two are switched.

There are always gonna be those words that infuriate proofreaders, so here's just a few that bug me. Everyone always hears about the famous ones like their/they're/there and your/you're, but I've come across a few more that some people don't think about as often. Loose - Not tight, wiggly Lose - To no longer have, misplace Choke - To have something blocking the airway, or an action of blocking someone's airway Chock - A wedge or block used to steady something and keep it from moving Weary - Tired Wary - Apprehensive Its - possesive, belonging to "it" It's - contraction of "it is" Through - By way of, passing from one side to the other Threw - Past tense of throw To - Indicating movement in a direction toward a person, place, or thing Two - The number after one Too - Also Access - Permission, freedom, or ability to do something Excess - In abundance of Then - Something that happened in the past Than - Usually use...

I just found a really helpful site for editors and proofers. Canadian, British, and American Spelling It's a site with alphabetical words with the three variations of English. This will help so much!

We all know that lead is a metal, but this isn't about that. Today my little tip is about using lead and led in terms of guiding. Lead is a problem I see a lot of in proofreading, and yes lead is a correct word when talking about leading someone somewhere or a trail leading off, but authors seem to forget that the past tense of lead, is led. He is leading her down the hallway. She was led down the hallway. Hope this helps you guys out. Happy writing.

I have invented a new word. Sqwinch : a proofreader's term for the bunched up words that result from accepting editors' changes in Word that remove the space between the words as a consequence. And, while not new, I made a new definition to gape Gape : a proofreader's term for the extra space between words that result from accepting editors' changes in Word that result in double the space between words. Here we have two problems that the authors of my company often face. When the author accepts a change made by an editor on their document, it sometimes messes with their writing. Such as, removing the space between two words so they are one long jumble of mess, a sqwinch, if you will. Another problem that pertains to this is the gape. It's the same circumstances as above, but instead of removing the space between words, it doubles it making a large blank space between two words. Both are a bit frustrating to have to keep marking over and over again, but...

How about for my first action as acting rambler, I share a handy little tip that I've found helps wonders? Proofreader Hint While reading your document through for the first time, hit ctrl+f to bring up the find section of the navigation pane. Now search for quotation marks. That's it. As you read, keep that little box open and you can see all the little marks lit up in yellow. Those are always supposed to come in pairs, and with them highlighted you can see which ones aren't. Warning : remember if you make a new comment to click back on your document before  you hit the next button on find to reactivate its function. If you don't it might take you back to the beginning, or who knows where else.