Meaning & use
proof copy
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A preliminary version of a book, magazine, or other printed work, made so that errors can be found and corrected before final printing.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a proof copy' or 'three proof copies'.
Patterns
- a proof copy of something
- send someone a proof copy
- check a proof copy
The editor sent me a proof copy of the novel to check for typos.
She marked several errors on the proof copy before it went to press.
The author received two proof copies in the mail last week.
nouncountable
A copy of a document or image made for checking before the final version is approved.
Grammar: Countable and often used with 'make' or 'print'.
Patterns
- make a proof copy
- print a proof copy
- a proof copy of a document
Please make a proof copy of the report before we send it to the client.
The designer printed a proof copy to check the colors.
Keep a proof copy in case the original is lost.
Word forms
| plural | proof copies |
|---|
Common combinations
- proof copy of a book
- The proof copy of the book had a plain cover.
- check a proof copy
- She checked the proof copy carefully for spelling mistakes.
- send a proof copy
- The publisher will send a proof copy to the author.
- receive a proof copy
- We received a proof copy of the catalog yesterday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- proof
- Shorter and more common in publishing; 'proof copy' emphasizes the physical or digital copy itself.
- draft
- A draft is any early version, not necessarily printed for checking; a proof copy is specifically for correcting before final printing.
- galley proof
- A galley proof is a type of proof copy, often in long strips before pages are arranged.
Word family
- proofread verb
- To read a proof copy and mark mistakes.
- proofreader noun
- A person whose job is to check proof copies.
Commonly confused: proof copy or copy?
proof copy vs copy
A 'copy' can be any single example of a printed work; a 'proof copy' is specifically an early version for checking.
Practice
The publisher sent the author a ______ to check for errors before the final printing.
Choose one answer.
A proof copy is the early version used for checking errors. 'Final copy' is the opposite, 'hardcover' is a binding type, and 'manuscript' is the author's original text, not a printed proof.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “proof copy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.