{"id":4049351,"date":"2020-12-03T20:06:31","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T14:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/?p=4049351"},"modified":"2023-09-22T08:11:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T02:41:18","slug":"proofread-blog-posts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/proofread-blog-posts\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Proofread Your Blog Posts (11 Easy Proofreading Tips)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p>So, you\u2019re writing and proofreading your own blog posts, huh?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Don\u2019t worry \u2013 it\u2019s easier than you think.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this post, I\u2019ll show you the best blog post proofreading tips that will help you create polished articles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s dive right in.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"toc\" class=\"mb-toc\">\n<h2>11 Easy Blog Post Proofreading Tips:<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#proofreadingtool\">1. Use a proofreading tool<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#splitsentences\">2. Look for sentences you can split<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#whitespace\">3. Add white space<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#transitionwords\">4. Add transition words and phrases<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#aloud\">5. Read your draft aloud<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#rest\">6. Rest for at least 60 minutes and read the whole thing again<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#fluff\">7. Look for fluff<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#erroneous\">8. Double-check commonly erroneous words and phrases<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#misused\">9. Look for commonly misused words and phrases<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#buddy\">10. Get yourself a proofreading buddy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#writingskills\">11. Work on your writing skills so you can proofread less<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"proofreadingtool\">1. Use a proofreading tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After writing a blog post, the next thing I do is fire up my go-to automated proofreading tool.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That would be nothing else but&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/go\/grammarly\/\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\" data-lasso-id=\"2513\" target=\"_blank\" data-lasso-name=\"Grammarly\">Grammarly<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"382\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly.png\" alt=\"Grammarly\" class=\"wp-image-4049352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly-300x115.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly-768x293.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Grammarly is a proofreading tool that automatically detects spelling and grammatical errors on your piece. Furthermore, it detects writing issues that can affect the readability of your article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are five ways to use Grammarly: via browser, desktop app, mobile app, Chrome extension, and the Microsoft Word add-on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve experienced using all three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most bloggers will have a great time with the Chrome extension. It allows them to proofread their work anywhere, be it on social media or directly on WordPress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I have to say that the most convenient way to use Grammarly is through the Microsoft Word extension.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>One click and you\u2019ll have a compact version of Grammarly running as a sidebar.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly.png\" alt=\"Running Grammarly on Microsoft Word\" class=\"wp-image-4049353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-768x425.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For those who write using Google Docs, give the Chrome extension a shot. That accomplishes what the Microsoft Word add-on does for me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another thing I love about Grammarly is the custom \u201cGoals\u201d feature. This allows you to configure the app to match your desired writing style.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"938\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly-Goals-938x1024.png\" alt=\"Grammarly Goals\" class=\"wp-image-4049355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly-Goals-938x1024.png 938w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly-Goals-275x300.png 275w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly-Goals-768x839.png 768w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Grammarly-Goals.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 938px) 100vw, 938px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After running Grammarly, switch between the tabs to detect different types of issues in your draft.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I personally only focus on the correctness of my post since I\u2019d like to preserve my personal writing style.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"419\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Tabs.png\" alt=\"Grammarly Tabs\" class=\"wp-image-4049356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Tabs.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Tabs-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Tabs-768x322.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Just remember that you still have to manually approve all suggestions offered by Grammarly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on the highlighted text to apply a suggestion. Otherwise, click the trash icon to keep the original text.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"398\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Suggestions.png\" alt=\"Grammarly Suggestions\" class=\"wp-image-4049359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Suggestions.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Suggestions-300x119.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Grammarly-Suggestions-768x306.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does Grammarly cost?&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Grammarly costs&nbsp;<strong>$29.95&nbsp;<\/strong>for a Premium account. Alternatively, you can keep using Grammarly\u2019s free version for as long as you need with some limitations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-box-gray\"><strong>Important:&nbsp;<\/strong>You can get a 25% discount on your Grammarly Premium purchase <a href=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/deals\/grammarly-discount\/\" data-lasso-id=\"2514\">using this link<\/a>.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Grammarly enough?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A proofreading tool does most of the heavy lifting involved in the process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>However, it\u2019s almost never enough to create top-notch blog posts.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, let\u2019s discuss the things that a tool like Grammarly can\u2019t help you with.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"splitsentences\">2. Look for sentences you can split<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things I teach my blog followers is to write short sentences \u2013 preferably 20 words or less each.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doing so not only improves the readability of your blog posts. It also increases reader retention and reduces bounce rate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Both of which help improve search engine rankings.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what you can do right now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever you feel like a sentence has gotten too long, think of how you can split it into two sentences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For example, if you wrote:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-box-gray\"><em>\u201cThe work of a professional blogger involves keyword research, on-page SEO, and various marketing tasks including social media marketing, email marketing, and influencer marketing.\u201d<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can write:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-box-gray\"><em>\u201cThe work of a professional blogger involves keyword research, on-page SEO, and various marketing tasks. That includes social media marketing, email marketing, and influencer marketing.\u201d<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>See that?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a minor adjustment, the thought is conveyed in a much more readable and digestible manner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep this in mind as you write articles until it becomes second nature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It took me a long time to turn this into a habit. But when I finally did, it made my blogging life a thousand times easier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whitespace\">3. Add white space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from writing short sentences, I also make it a point to write short paragraphs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I never write paragraphs that are over two sentences long.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, this is completely optional.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if a conversational, easy-going writing style is what you\u2019re after, I suggest you do this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After finishing your initial draft, read through it, and look specifically for thick walls of text, like this:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"193\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text.png\" alt=\"A Thick Wall of Text\" class=\"wp-image-4049361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text-300x58.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text-768x148.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, look for a spot where you can split the paragraph to create blocks of 1-2 sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking at the example above, notice that I split the paragraph in three points, namely after the words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dog<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overweight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enough<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text-Split.png\" alt=\"Optimizing My Thick Wall of Text\" class=\"wp-image-4049362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text-Split.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text-Split-300x92.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Thick-Wall-of-Text-Split-768x235.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When doing this, don\u2019t be afraid to create consecutive one-sentence paragraphs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I assure you; it will still look good once you publish your post.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t believe me?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In case you didn\u2019t notice, I wrote this section entirely out of one-sentence paragraphs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looks good, doesn\u2019t it?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"transitionwords\">4. Add transition words and phrases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When proofreading, I make sure to pay attention to the flow of my article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If one section reads awkwardly or spontaneously jumps from point to point, I know it lacks transition words or phrases.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>I\u2019m talking about these:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For example<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As a result<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In turn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Besides<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Furthermore<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In addition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Injecting these phrases and words into the right places can make your blog post significantly better. They act as a glue that connects thoughts and ideas within your article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For example, let\u2019s say you originally came up with this paragraph:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-box-gray\"><em>\u201cI like to proofread my work only after I\u2019m done with the draft. I write faster and experience less stress.\u201d<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Adding a transition phrase transforms it to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-box-gray\"><em>\u201cI like to proofread my work only after I\u2019m done with the draft. As a result, I write faster and experience less stress.<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aloud\">5. Read your draft out loud<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the most helpful proofreading tip I learned through the years is to read my draft out loud.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a surefire way to detect grammar mistakes and readability issues. It can tell you if you wrote too many words in a sentence, overused hard-to-pronounce words, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If one sentence sounds off, that would be your chance to rephrase or reword it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The only drawback is, this only works if you\u2019re a fluent English speaker yourself.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If not, you can use tools that can read your text aloud for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Microsoft Word has that tool baked into the application. Just head to the&nbsp;<strong>\u2018Review\u2019&nbsp;<\/strong>tab, click&nbsp;<strong>\u2018Read Aloud,\u2019&nbsp;<\/strong>and sit back while the tool works its magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Read-Aloud-Tool.png\" alt=\"The Read Aloud tool on Microsoft Word\" class=\"wp-image-4049365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Read-Aloud-Tool.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Read-Aloud-Tool-300x142.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Read-Aloud-Tool-768x364.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For those who don\u2019t use Microsoft Word, here are some alternatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/docs.google.com\/\" data-lasso-id=\"2515\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Docs<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gingersoftware.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\" data-lasso-id=\"2516\">Ginger Software<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalreaders.com\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\" data-lasso-id=\"2517\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NaturalReader<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rest\">6. Rest for at least 60 minutes and read the whole thing again<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For me, proofreading is best done with a fresh pair of eyes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proofreading your article immediately after writing may cause you to miss mistakes and issues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This is especially true if you work for hours on end without breaks.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why I recommend taking a 60-minute break before giving your draft a final polish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go ahead \u2013 put your computer on sleep mode and take a walk or grab a snack. I promise you that proofreading will be a breeze once you return.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fluff\">7. Look for fluff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a fine line between sentences that instill personality and fluff.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In simple terms, fluff is absolutely useless.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They do nothing to the reading experience in terms of value and enjoyment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a tip: if something can be removed without affecting the readers\u2019 experience, it\u2019s fluff.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A common example would be sentences that are totally unrelated to the post\u2019s topic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-box-gray\"><em>I like dogs \u2013 <\/em>they&#8217;re so cute.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>That\u2019s fluff.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What isn\u2019t fluff, however, is writing things that can help retain the reader\u2019s engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-box-gray\">For example, you\u2019re about to learn four more proofreading tips if you keep reading.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>That isn\u2019t fluff.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Because I gave you \u2013 the reader \u2013 something to look forward to.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In return, you\u2019re more likely to stick around until you\u2019re done reading the entire article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, there are probably some content marketers who will disagree with me on that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, let me ask you something.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>What is a ghost\u2019s favorite snack?&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer is: \u201c<strong>ice scream<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I know it\u2019s a lame joke. But whether or not it made you laugh, you\u2019re still here reading the post anyway.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And since it added value in terms of reader retention, then it isn\u2019t fluff in my book.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"erroneous\">8. Double-check commonly erroneous words and phrases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like any language, English evolves over time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>English speakers tend to embrace different spellings and uses for words. And if you\u2019re blogging using colloquial language, you can have a tough time proofreading your work using traditional spell checkers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good example would be \u201coctopi,\u201d which is technically a wrong word.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"303\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Octopi.png\" alt=\"Is Octopi Correct\" class=\"wp-image-4049368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Octopi.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Octopi-300x91.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Octopi-768x233.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>However, Grammarly and built-in spell checkers won\u2019t detect it as a mistake.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s on you to decide if you should use the wrong spelling or the proper one. Either way, your readers should understand your point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But to avoid people criticizing you for misspellings, I suggest using the correct spelling every time.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take note that you can face a similar issue with certain colloquial phrases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, \u201creal quick\u201d is grammatically improper, but it\u2019s generally accepted among English speakers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"275\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Real-Quick-Quora-.png\" alt=\"Is Real Quick Correct\" class=\"wp-image-4049369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Real-Quick-Quora-.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Real-Quick-Quora--300x83.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Real-Quick-Quora--768x211.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The only difference is, some word processing apps may detect it as a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re using something like Microsoft Word\u2019s built-in spell checker, you\u2019ll get that hideous blue line under \u201creal quick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"308\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Real-Quick-Underline.png\" alt=\"Microsoft Word Blue Underline\" class=\"wp-image-4049371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Real-Quick-Underline.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Real-Quick-Underline-300x92.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Microsoft-Word-Real-Quick-Underline-768x237.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, it\u2019s up to you whether or not to keep the colloquial phrase or replace it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But for improper phrases, I lean towards keeping them since most people are okay with them, unlike misspellings. In addition, they add personality to your writing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"misused\">9. Look for commonly misused words and phrases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from commonly misspelled words, there are also commonly misused words and phrases that proofreading tools won\u2019t detect.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Prepositions are a typical culprit.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, both \u201con a highway\u201d and \u201cin a highway\u201d are widely used all over the web. But only \u201con a highway\u201d is actually grammatically correct.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure which phrase to use, I suggest running a quick Google search.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019re unsure whether to use \u201con your article\u201d or \u201cin your article.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just type in the first phrase enclosed in quotations like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"445\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Search-with-Quotations.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4049373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Search-with-Quotations.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Search-with-Quotations-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-Search-with-Quotations-768x342.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the results are in, look at the number of pages indexed for that query.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"319\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-On-Your-Article.png\" alt=\"Google Results for On Your Article\" class=\"wp-image-4049372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-On-Your-Article.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-On-Your-Article-300x96.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-On-Your-Article-768x245.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the screenshot above, we can see that there are over 25 million results for the phrase \u201con your article.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s now see how many Google search results we can get with \u201cin your article.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"307\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-In-Your-Article.png\" alt=\"Google Results for In Your Article\" class=\"wp-image-4049374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-In-Your-Article.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-In-Your-Article-300x92.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Google-In-Your-Article-768x236.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the phrase \u201cin your article\u201d has more results, it means more people accept it as correct. As such, it should be the variation you should use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, you can use this trick whenever you\u2019re unsure of a phrase or word in your draft.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just enter the phrase or word on Google with quotations and check how many results it gets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"buddy\">10. Get yourself a proofreading buddy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I used to work with an editor who did most of my proofreading work for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We don\u2019t work anymore, but we\u2019re still good buddies. And from time to time, he\u2019s more than willing to offer help whenever I\u2019m unsure about my post.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t expect him to check the whole draft for me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, I just send him some of the paragraphs I\u2019m struggling with and ask for suggestions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not telling you to hire a professional editor or proofreader. Having an online buddy who is preferably a native English speaker should be enough.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ask things like:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Does this sound good to a native English speaker?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What\u2019s a better way to say this?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What\u2019s another word for this?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there a way to make this paragraph shorter?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just establish boundaries and avoid treating them like they\u2019re getting paid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Unless, of course, if they ask for payment and you\u2019re willing to provide it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"writingskills\">11. Work on your writing skills so you can proofread less&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you need to work on your writing skills so you can create more and proofread less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At some point, you\u2019ll learn how to write and proofread sentences before you even type them. But it took me years of practice and patience to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>For now, you should take one step at a time and try implementing every tip I mentioned above.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also have tons of guides in my blog that can help you with this goal. You can visit them through the links I embedded at the bottom of this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want the easiest and fastest way to write like a seasoned pro, check out&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/go\/thecontentrulebook\/\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\" data-lasso-id=\"2518\" target=\"_blank\" data-lasso-name=\"The Content Rulebook\">The Content Rulebook<\/a><\/strong>. It contains all the content writing strategies I amassed for over a decade of blogging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/The-Content-Rulebook.png\" alt=\"The Content Rulebook\" class=\"wp-image-4049375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/The-Content-Rulebook.png 1000w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/The-Content-Rulebook-300x116.png 300w, https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/The-Content-Rulebook-768x298.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope you learned a lot from this short guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I never revealed my personal proofreading tricks to anyone before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But since I want my readers to succeed in blogging, I\u2019m giving away everything for you guys and gals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What topic should I discuss next? Do you have any questions or feedback for me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave a comment below and let\u2019s talk about it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Waiting for your response!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You Might Also Like:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/write-quality-content\/\" data-lasso-id=\"2519\">Step-By-Step Guide to Write High-Quality Content for Your Blog<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/persuasive-blog-posts\/\" data-lasso-id=\"2520\">12 Powerful Tips on How to Write Persuasive Blog Posts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/online-proofreading-tools\/\" data-lasso-id=\"2521\">4 Best Online Proofreading Tools for Error-Free Writing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So, you\u2019re writing and proofreading your own blog posts, huh? Don\u2019t worry \u2013 it\u2019s easier than you think.&nbsp; In this post, I\u2019ll show you the best blog post proofreading tips that will help you create&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4041654,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[100012],"tags":[700266],"class_list":["post-4049351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-gems","tag-bloggers"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":100012,"label":"Featured Gems"}],"post_tag":[{"value":700266,"label":"Bloggers"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Send-to-proofreaders.png",1000,397,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Ankit Singla","author_link":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/about\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":100012,"name":"Featured Gems","slug":"featured-gems","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":500012,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":142,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":100012,"category_count":142,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Featured Gems","category_nicename":"featured-gems","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":700266,"name":"Bloggers","slug":"bloggers","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":3500266,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":98,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4049351"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4049351"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4049351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4558592,"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4049351\/revisions\/4558592"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4041654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4049351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4049351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterblogging.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4049351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}