Meaning & use
proofreading
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
The process of reading text carefully to find and correct small errors before it is finalized.
Grammar: Uncountable, so no plural: 'Proofreading is essential.' Not 'proofreadings'.
Patterns
- do proofreading
- proofreading of something
Proofreading is a key step in the writing process.
She offers proofreading services for students.
After proofreading, the document was ready to print.
verbtransitive or intransitive
The present participle of 'proofread'; reading and correcting text.
Grammar: Can take an object: 'She is proofreading the report.' Or no object: 'She is proofreading.'
Patterns
- proofreading something
- proofreading for someone
He is proofreading his thesis right now.
They spent the morning proofreading the newsletter.
I was proofreading when you called.
Common combinations
- careful proofreading
- Careful proofreading eliminated all the typos.
- proofreading skills
- Good proofreading skills are valued in publishing.
- proofreading job
- She got a proofreading job at a local newspaper.
Synonyms and how they differ
- copyediting
- Copyediting also involves improving style and clarity, not just fixing errors.
- checking
- Checking is broader and can apply to non-text things.
Word family
- proofread verb
- To read and correct text.
- proofreader noun
- A person who proofreads.
Commonly confused: proofreading or proof reading?
proofreading vs proof reading
Same meaning, but written as two words; less standard.
Practice
Her job involves ______ legal documents before they are filed.
Choose one answer.
After 'involves', we need a gerund (-ing form), so 'proofreading' is correct. 'Proofread' is the base verb, 'proofreader' is a noun for a person, and 'proofreads' is third-person singular, none of which fit after 'involves'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “proofreading”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.