Professional Proofreading Services

English Proofreading Services

Proofreading (word-level editing) also known as verification editing, examines a text carefully to find and correct typos and mistakes in grammar, style, formatting and spelling.

A proofreader looks for consistency in word usage, presentation, formatting, capitalisation, italicisation, hyphenation and all other technical aspects of the written material. For example, I check the accuracy of the material by examining the text, images, captions, tables, chapter and section titles, chapter and page numbering, citations, references, index, table of content, etc.

During the proofreading process, I monitor the material for compliance with the grammar, vocabulary and spelling rules of the English variant being used. I also scrutinize the written material for adherence to the style guidelines stipulated by the publisher or ebook publishing application.

If too many errors and omissions are found, I may return the material for further copy editing before the proofreading can be started or completed. Or, I may recommend changing the proofreading project to a copy editing project instead. Proofreading can only be undertaken once the writer finishes all other revisions, rewrites and edits

In the traditional publishing process, the publisher sends material to a designer or typesetter after it has been copy-edited. The author’s work is then displayed or printed, and that is the proof – proof that it is ready for publication.

Many proofreaders find they spot more errors on paper than on screen, but proofs may be read and marked in either medium. Proofreading is now often ‘blind’ – the proof is read on its own merits, without seeing the edited version.

In brief, my English proofreading services examine the final draft of your manuscript, document or website content to highlight and correct errors. No rewriting is done at this stage; it is the final quality check and tidy-up.