When you are proofreading or essay editing, it can be extremely helpful to be aware of the most common errors so that you are able to look out for likely trouble spots and ensure that you pick up even the smallest slips. This list of the most common punctuation errors picked up by proofreaders should help you to be on the alert for frequent mistakes.

Missing punctuation

Proofreaders are usually on high alert for misplaced or erroneous punctuation, but a common error, particularly when editing essays, is the omission of punctuation all together! When this occurs at the end of sentences it can be difficult for an editor to spot, particularly if the essay writer has used a capital letter as normal to begin the following sentence, so proofreaders should look out for missing full stops.

Commas

Missing commas are another particularly common error you should be on the lookout for when proofreading or copyediting, as their absence is often noticeable only by a subtle clausal or syntactical indication within the sentence. When carrying out analysis, proofreaders should always check for sentences where more than one thought or idea is expressed and ensure that a comma (or semi colon or colon where appropriate) is in place to break up the two different sections.

Top proofreading tip: this often occurs before a conjunction, such as the word ‘but’, as essay writers can mistakenly believe that the conjunction performs the same ‘pause’ function as the comma.

Speech marks

Dialogue is another area where proofreaders will often find many errors in essays. Some writers choose to use a single inverted comma to indicate speech whilst most use the more standard speech mark, or double inverted commas. When proofreading and editing, look out for the common writing mistake of switching between the two – punctuation must be consistent throughout the text.

(Note: the importance of continuity also applies to any numbering or bullet points within a text and any referencing methods used.)

Another common punctuation mistake is the omission of punctuation at the end of speech before the closing speech marks. Punctuation here is essential and must always be inserted by the editor or proofreaders.