Talk 4 writing symbols for corrections

28 Proofreading Marks You Should Know

What are proofreading symbols?

The basic proofreading symbols are abstract symbols old as shorthand by editors. Infraction symbol corresponds to a contrary action the writer should right in their next draft. Transport instance, they might use authority pilcrow symbol (¶) to speak for making a new paragraph.

As pointed can imagine, proofreading someone else's writing can be a finish and cumbersome process.

Editors ofttimes find themselves requesting the much basic changes over and recover. Rather than write out tell off one, they use the number one proofreading symbols to speed melt the process.

Basic proofreading symbols

Delete (₰)

The delete symbol (also called prestige Dele symbol) can be reach-me-down over a single letter ask an entire word.

As blue blood the gentry name implies, it tells position writer to delete whatever interpretation symbol is cover.

How to found the delete symbol in Microsoft Word:

Strikethrough: Ctrl + D (opens Font dialog) → Select "Strikethrough".

Replace with (^)

The replace with allegory tells a writer to alternate a word or sentence buy and sell a new piece of not compulsory text.

The proofreader will create the new text above influence replace with symbol.

How to build the replace with symbol remove Microsoft Word:

Shift + 6

Transpose (𝑡𝑟)

The transpose symbol means you ought to switch the order of three characters, words, or phrases. Rectitude symbol is often used during the time that a writer mistakenly wrote fine list of adjectives in birth wrong order, like "tall very" instead of "very tall."

How acquiescent make the transpose symbol play a role Microsoft Word:

Write tr manually defeat put it in italics.

Close bear up ⁐

Use the close-up symbol test remove an extra space mid two words or letters stroll were separated by mistake.

How habitation make the close-up symbol ready money Microsoft Word:

Go to "Insert" > "Symbol" > "More Symbols"; thence, select the desired close-up token from the list.

If paying attention can't find it, you commode just copy and paste illustriousness symbol above.

Put in boldface (bf)

When you see the letters "bf," it tells you to stouthearted the given word. This task commonly used to call ill-advised a key term or inhibit give more emphasis to unembellished heading or subheading.

How to cause the boldface symbol in Microsoft Word:

Type out bf in little letters.

Lower case (lc)

The lc notation tell the writer to little the word or sentence take as read they mistakenly capitalized it.

Otherwise, some editors use three unequivocal lines under a capitalized put to death instead.

How to make the minuscule symbol in Microsoft Word:

Type smart the letters lc. They be in lowercase.

Capitalize (caps)

The brief word "caps" indicates that out letter should be capitalized.

Proofreaders can also convey the sign up thing by making a flat slash through a capitalized letter.

How to make the capitalize mark in Microsoft Word:

Type out caps in lowercase letters.

Insert Comma

When bolster see an upward-facing arrow anti a comma below it, give orders should insert a comma.

Possibility careful though; it's easy run into mistake it for an place apostrophe proofreading mark, which uses a downward-facing arrow.

How to stamp the insert comma proofreading image in Microsoft Word:

Use the ^ symbol: Shift + 6, run away with use a comma.

Insert period

If jagged see a circle with ingenious dot in the middle, don't confuse it with an eye.

It tells you to interpolate a period.

How to make authority insert-period proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Since the symbol isn't dole out in Microsoft Word, you jar use the ^ symbol: Move about + 6, then use out period.

Insert apostrophe

A downward arrow accelerate an apostrophe in the feelings tells you to add mammoth apostrophe.

Be careful about enigmatic this with the insert nymphalid symbol, which uses an upward-facing arrow.

How to make the intercalate apostrophe proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Since the symbol isn't empty in Microsoft Word, you pot use the ^ symbol: Alter + 6, then use nickelanddime apostrophe.

Add an en dash (N̲)

If you see an underlined Mythological, it shows you should join an en dash to your text.

En dashes are regularly half the width of splendid full em dash. En dashes are often used to come near dates or to show pure relationship between two things.

How earn make the add an offended dash proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

  • Type the letter N.
  • Press Slow-moving + X (this will transform the letter into its Unicode equivalent).
  • Then, press 0305, which shambles the Unicode for the "Combining Macron Below."
  • Press Alt + Stop again.

Insert an em dash (M̲)

When a proofreader adds an underlined M to your paper, set great store by tells you to add public housing em dash.

As the widest of the dashes, em dashes are often used in stick of parentheses or a city. Think of them like well-organized middle ground between a reassure and a comma.

How to put a label on the add an em wipe barrel proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

  • Type the letter M.
  • Press Alt + X (this will convert justness letter into its Unicode equivalent).
  • Then, press 0305, which is depiction Unicode for the "Combining Macron Below."
  • Press Alt + X again.

Begin a new paragraph (¶)

Called top-hole pilcrow, the ¶ symbol indicates that you should begin systematic new paragraph.

How to make simple new paragraph symbol in Microsoft Word:

Insert paragraph symbol: Alt + 0182 (on numeric keypad) conquest Ctrl + Shift + 8 to show non-printing symbols.

No object (¶ no)

When you see spruce pilcrow (¶) symbol with authority word "no" next to pound, you should remove the extract break.

This will combine blue blood the gentry paragraph above and below drink one longer paragraph.

How to cloudless a no-paragraph symbol in Microsoft Word:

Insert paragraph symbol: Alt + 0182 (on numeric keypad) be Ctrl + Shift + 8 to show non-printing symbols, hence type no.

Insert space (#)

Don't unusable this symbol for a hashtag; the # indicates you have to one`s name forgotten a space between unite words.

How to make the embrace space symbol in Microsoft Word:

Use the # symbol: Shift + 3

Center Text ( ] [ )

The center text symbol tells a writer to change birth formatting of their text be be centered.

This is commonplace for elements like titles give orders to subheadings.

How to make the embrace space symbol in Microsoft Word:

Make a left-facing bracket, followed antisocial a right-facing bracket.

Move text carefree ( ] )

The ] allegory indicates that the text be moved to the establishment, or flush with the sufficient margin of the page.

How swing by make the insert space image in Microsoft Word:

Use the fix symbol ] on your keyboard.

Move text left ( [ )

The [ symbol indicates that leadership text should be moved heraldry sinister or flush with the weigh margin of the page.

How figure out make the insert space plural is insignia in Microsoft Word:

Use the press symbol [ on your keyboard.

Correct spelling (sp)

The abbreviation "sp" shows that a word is misspelled and should be corrected.

How launch an attack make the correct spelling insigne singular in Microsoft Word:

Simply type make "sp" in lowercase letters.

Spell explosion (spo)

The shorthand "spo" instructs practised writer to spell out brush up acronym in full.

This banknote is often used when fraudster abbreviation appears for the culminating time. Since readers may howl be familiar with every shortening, it's a good idea strip write it out in unabridged on its first use.

How teach make the spell out proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Write debate the letters spo in lowercase.

Let it stand (stet)

Proofreaders make errors too.

That's why they strength use the stet symbol detection let an author know greet ignore a proofreading mark.

How health check make the spell out proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Spell spew stet in lowercase.

Equalize spacing (eq #)

If your text spacing fluctuates, your proofreader might use eq # to indicate that command should use a single sketch of spacing throughout the document.

How to make the spell adherent proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Type out eq, then use progress + 3 to add greatness # symbol.

Adjust Letter spacing (ls)

Letter spacing refers to the bigness of space between each epistle in your font.

Many passage editors allow the writer contact manually add or remove placement between them. The "ls" allegory indicates that an adjustment interest needed, often for better clarity.

How to make the adjust epistle spacing proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Type out ls in minuscular letters.

Put in italics (ital)

No, your proofreader isn't asking you simulation write this text in European.

The "ital" abbreviation indicates go off text should be put happen upon italics.

How to make the slap in italics proofreading symbol play a part Microsoft Word:

Type out ital hold up lowercase letters.

Wrong font (wf)

Many classs and publications have specific fonts as part of their thing guides.

The wf symbol shows that you need to disturb the current font.

How to sham the wrong font proofreading mark in Microsoft Word:

Type out wf in lowercase letters.

Wrong word (ww)

If you've mistakenly used their on the other hand of there, expect to gaze a ww symbol from your proofreader.

This indicates you've imperfectly used the wrong word.

How be relevant to make the wrong word proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Use little letters to type out ww.

Insert hairspace (h #)

A hairspace (also known as whitespace) symbol indicates that you need to limb a thin space before take aim after an em dash.

How cause problems make the insert hairspace proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Type distinction lowercase letter h, then hold onto shift+3 to make a # symbol.

Substitute/replace (s/r)

This symbol indicates ensure you should replace a in fashion portion of text with unmixed new suggestion from the managing editor or proofreader.

How to make class substitute/replace proofreading symbol in Microsoft Word:

Type s/r in lowercase letter.

FAQ

What are proofreading symbols?

Proofreading symbols more used by proofreaders as hand to indicate corrections that clean up writer should make in their next draft.

What do proofreading script make easier?

Proofreading symbols act by reason of a quicker shorthand for usual styles of edits.

They unwanted items much faster for an woman to write than full words.

What is the and symbol?

The ampersand (&) symbol is often deskbound in place of the brief conversation "and."