Proofreading
Final grammar, spelling, punctuation, consistency, typo, and readability checks before you publish or submit.
Who it’s for
A good fit if…
- Anyone with an important document, email, or piece of content that needs a final accuracy check before it goes out.
- Businesses and professionals who want a fast turnaround without a full editing pass.
- Writers who trust their own draft but want a second set of eyes before something becomes public or permanent.
What you get
Deliverables
- A full grammar, spelling, and punctuation correction pass on your document.
- Consistency checks for formatting, terminology, and repeated phrasing.
- A final readability check to catch anything that disrupts flow without changing your meaning.
- A clean, submission-ready or publish-ready version of your document.
What is proofreading?
Proofreading is the final, careful check of a finished document for surface errors: spelling, grammar, punctuation, typos, repeated words and inconsistent formatting. It's the last step before something is published, sent or submitted, after all the writing and editing is done. A good proofread means your reader notices your message, not your mistakes.
When do you need a proofreader?
- Before publishing a website, brochure, report or ebook
- Before sending a proposal, application or important email campaign
- After editing, when every change may have introduced a new small error
- When you've read your own document so many times you can no longer see it
That last point is the main reason proofreading exists. Writers read what they meant to write, not what's on the page.
What does a proofread check?
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Spelling | Typos, misused words ("their"/"there"), consistent UK or US spelling |
| Grammar | Agreement errors, tense slips, missing words |
| Punctuation | Apostrophes, commas, quotation marks, hyphens |
| Consistency | Capitalisation, number style, abbreviations, product names |
| Formatting | Headings, bullet styles, spacing, links |
What doesn't proofreading do?
A proofreader doesn't rewrite sentences that are correct but clumsy, restructure your argument or change your tone. That's editing. If your document needs more than a proofread, I'll tell you before starting, so you can choose the right service rather than paying for a check that doesn't fix the real problem.
Why isn't spellcheck enough?
Spellcheck catches misspelled words, not wrong words. It won't flag "manger" for "manager" if both are real words, or "price" where you meant "prize". It doesn't notice that a product is called "ProPlan" on one page and "Pro Plan" on another, or that a heading is in a different style from the rest. Those are exactly the errors that make a document look careless.
Example (illustrative). Spellcheck passes: "Our team of export consultants will asses your needs." A proofreader catches both "export" (expert) and "asses" (assess).
Proofreading for websites and marketing
Web pages have errors spellcheck never sees: button labels, menu items, form error messages, image captions and email templates. If you're launching a site, I can proofread both the copy document and the built pages, so nothing slips through between the two.
What should you send for proofreading?
The final version of the document, in Word or Google Docs if possible, so corrections can be tracked. Tell me whether you use British or American English, and send any style guide or list of preferred terms and product names. If the document has already been edited, mention it, so I know the content is fixed and only surface errors remain.
How long does proofreading take?
A careful proofread takes longer than most people expect, because reading quickly is exactly how errors get missed. Short documents can usually be turned around fast; long reports, ebooks and full websites need more time. I'll confirm a realistic turnaround with your quote, and you'll always have time to review the corrections before your deadline.
Common errors I catch
- Product, company and people's names spelled inconsistently
- Apostrophe mistakes in plurals and possessives
- Headings in mixed capitalisation styles
- Broken or mislabelled links in digital documents
- Repeated words left over from editing
How much does proofreading cost?
Proofreading starts from $25. The final price depends on word count and deadline. You get a fixed quote before any work starts.
If your document needs clarity and structure work as well, see business editing. For academic work, see thesis proofreading, and read proofreading vs copyediting vs line editing to decide which you need.
How it works
From brief to finished copy
1
Submit
You share your near-final document and any specific concerns you want checked.
2
Proofreading pass
I correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency issues.
3
Quality check
I review the document again to catch anything missed on the first pass.
4
Delivery
You receive the corrected document, ready to publish or submit.
“Khan delivered professional, submission-ready work that exceeded expectations. Communication was proactive with clear checkpoints, and delivery was on time. Attention to detail and integrity made collaboration smooth and effective. He elevated the letters of recommendation while preserving their original voice. Highly recommended.”
FAQ
Questions about Proofreading
What exactly does proofreading fix?
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, typos, repeated or missing words, and inconsistencies in formatting, capitalisation and number style.
Do you proofread website pages before launch?
Yes. I can proofread copy in a document before it's built, or check the live or staging pages, including buttons, menus and form messages that are easy to miss.
Can you proofread in British or American English?
Both. Tell me which you use and I'll make spelling and punctuation consistent with it.
How fast can you proofread?
Short documents can often be done quickly. Tell me your deadline when you request a quote and I'll confirm before you book.
Will proofreading make my writing better?
It makes it correct. If you want it clearer, shorter or more persuasive, you need editing, which is a deeper service.
Have a page, an email flow or a document that isn’t working yet?
Send a short brief. You’ll get a reply from me, not an account manager, with a recommended scope, a fixed quote and a delivery date.
Umair ZararFounder, KhanCopyX