proofread

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'proofread' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the action of reading through a document to correct any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or content. For example: The editor proofread the article to make sure that it was free of mistakes before it was published.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Grammarly is "meant to proofread mainstream text like student papers, cover letters and proposals".

The Economist

Once it has been researched, written, edited and proofread, better to let it go than to aim for perfect.

The Economist

Though Bartleby is initially a hard worker, one day, when asked to proofread, he responds, "I would prefer not to".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, after the scribe's work was finished it was proofread and titles and notes were inserted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The appeal first came to my attention through the daily emails I receive to proofread my columns.

Independent

Volunteers elect to proofread one page of a book, and then submit it back to the site.

Independent

All I had to do was download the posts, edit, reformat, proofread, and index them.

The New Yorker

An assistant, who has not figured out how to disable the phone's flash when photographing meals (and, frankly, thinks that the food looks better that way — more realistic), types the tweet and does not proofread it.

The New Yorker

In the next two decades, Shakespeare wrote nearly two plays every year, besides composing the two long and popular narrative poems "Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucrece," which were evidently the only publications of his that he ever troubled to proofread.

The New Yorker

Back home, his mother taught the employees of various companies how to write business letters, how to proofread and use words properly — to use "different from" instead of "different than," for example — and sometimes when people called to hire her she would say, "I have a son who needs work, maybe he can help you".

The New Yorker

Having proofread a passage describing the anatomy of the human ear, Scott had designed the phonautograph to approximate it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you "proofread", focus on one type of error at a time (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation) to improve accuracy.

Common error

Relying solely on your own "proofreading" can lead to overlooking errors, as you're familiar with the text. Enlist a colleague or friend to review your work with a fresh perspective.

Linguistic Context

The verb "proofread" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (e.g., "proofread the document"). Ludwig confirms this, providing numerous examples of its use in sentences needing correction before publication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis indicates that "proofread" is a frequently used and grammatically sound verb that describes the essential task of reviewing text for errors. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object, and is commonly employed to ensure accuracy and clarity in written communication. With a source quality score of 92 and an expert rating of 4.8, it is evident that this verb is both reliable and widely accepted. Common contexts include News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Formal & Business settings. To enhance writing, focus on specific error types during "proofreading" and seek fresh perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review for errors

Focuses on the action of checking for mistakes, similar to "proofread".

check for accuracy

Highlights the importance of verifying correctness in the text.

edit and correct

Emphasizes both editing and error correction aspects.

scrutinize the text

Involves a detailed examination of the text.

revise and amend

Focuses on improving and fixing the text.

examine for mistakes

Highlights the act of looking for errors.

verify the content

Ensures that the information is accurate and reliable.

polish the writing

Implies refining the text to improve its quality.

inspect the draft

Focuses on examining a preliminary version of the text.

fine-tune the document

Implies making small adjustments for improvement.

FAQs

How do I use "proofread" in a sentence?

You can use "proofread" to describe the act of checking a written text for errors. For example, "I need to "proofread" this report before submitting it".

What's a good synonym for "proofread"?

A good synonym for "proofread" is "review for errors". This emphasizes the process of checking for mistakes and inaccuracies.

Should I rely on spell check instead of "proofreading"?

While spell check is helpful, it doesn't catch all errors. It's essential to manually "proofread" to identify grammatical errors, misused words, and contextual issues that software might miss.

What's the difference between "proofreading" and editing?

"Proofreading" focuses on correcting errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, whereas editing involves improving the overall structure, clarity, and style of the text. Editing is a broader process than "proofreading".