Proofreading Examples

Spelling - Typos

Despite advances in spelling and grammar checkers, typos still happen. Most commonly, this occurs when the typo involves an unintended word.

Ex: I made sure my friends were oaky.

This is an actual (paraphrased) error spotted in an independently published novel, which I will not name. Neither Google Docs nor Microsoft Word recognizes this as an error. Though surely, the author does not mean they expect the character's friends to be woody and/or tree-like.

Microsoft Word
Google Docs
Browser, but only because it doesn't recognize oaky as a legitimate word

Proofreading These Typos

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Microsoft Word with Track Changes

Google Docs with Suggesting turned on

Edits can be made such that you can see and approve each one if desired.

Punctuation

Basic punctuation errors: incorrect or missing punctuation, run-on sentences and comma splices

Ex: What is your goal.

Here we have a period where there should be a question mark. Google Docs caught this error, though Microsoft Word did not.
Microsoft Word
Google Docs

Ex: It's okay, I'll go.

This is a comma splice, which is where you create a run-on sentence by joining two complete sentences with a comma. I see these everywhere.
While being incredibly short, It's okay is a complete sentence on its own.
It = subject
is = verb
Likewise, I'll go is also a complete sentence, despite its brevity.
I = subject
will = auxiliary verb; go = verb

In this case, the comma should be replaced by either a period or a semi-colon.

Microsoft Word
Google Docs

Grammar

Grammar edits are included in proofreading and include a wide variety of things such as sentence structure; subject-verb agreement; split infinitives; verb tense; proper prepositions, adjectives, and comparatives; and more.