Even the most polished writers can miss small — but important — details when reviewing their own work. Proofreading isn’t just about fixing obvious typos; it’s about spotting the subtle mistakes that can slip past spellcheck and undermine your credibility.

Here are the top five most overlooked proofreading mistakes — and some tips for catching them before they cause problems:

1. Homophones (Words That Sound Alike)

It’s easy to miss when you use the wrong word, especially when it sounds the same. Think “your” vs. “you’re,” “their” vs. “there,” or “principle” vs. “principal.”

Tip: Read your document out loud slowly. Hearing the words helps catch mistakes your eyes might skim past.

2. Missing Small Words

When you’re familiar with what you meant to write, your brain tends to fill in the blanks — even if a word is missing. A forgotten “a,” “to,” or “of” can completely change a sentence’s meaning.

Tip: Print out your work or view it in a different format (like on your phone) to force your brain to see it fresh.

3. Inconsistent Formatting

Formatting issues — like irregular bullet points, spacing, font sizes, or inconsistent headings — can make your document look sloppy even if the writing is excellent.

Tip: Use your document’s built-in styles and formatting tools to check for consistency before finalizing.

4. Incorrect Numbers and Dates

A wrong date, figure, or decimal point can create confusion — or much bigger issues in legal, financial, or technical writing.

Tip: Double-check every number against your source material. Highlight dates and numbers during your review to give them extra attention.

5. Punctuation Problems

Misplaced commas, missing periods, or incorrect apostrophes are some of the most common — and easily overlooked — errors. And they can subtly change meaning or tone.

Tip: Slow down and proof for punctuation separately. Focus on one sentence at a time if needed.

How to Catch These Mistakes

• Take a break before proofreading — even 15 minutes helps reset your focus.
• Read your document aloud.
• Review backwards: start from the last sentence and work up to the top.
• Use a trusted proofreader for high-stakes materials (we know a good one). 😉

Proofreading isn’t just about polishing your words — it’s about protecting your message.

At Proper Proofreading, we make sure the details don’t get overlooked — so you can present your work at its absolute best.