1. Proof-reading Skills: Review

2. Introduction Proofreading tests whether we are able to identify…
common grammatical errors
easily confused words (e.g. practice VS practise)
In this lesson, we are going to review…
How to correct mistakes
Identify the types of mistake

3. How to correct mistakes
The marking symbols change from time to time
Read the instructions carefully
Situation 1:
The word is wrongly spelt or used
Underline it
Write the correct one in the blank provided / above the mistake
e.g. This envelop is too smaller. Have you got another one?
Answer: (smaller – small)

4. How to correct mistakes
Situation 2:
An extra word in the sentence
Put a cross “” on it
Write it in the blank provided
e.g. It’s time to go to home. See you tomorrow.
Answer: ( go to)

5. How to correct mistakes
Situation 3:
A missing word
Add a “^” in the place where you want to insert a word and write it in the blank provided.
e.g. My puppy is tired playing with the ball.
Answer: (tired ^after / of playing )

6. How to correct mistakes
Situation 4:
No mistake
Put a tick “” in the blank provided
e.g. I completely agree with George. How about you?
Answer: ( )

7. Identifying types of mistakes
Parts of speech (e.g. Preposition + Noun)
e.g. The audience are filled with excited (adj.).
Answer: (excitement) (noun)
Sentence structure
e.g. It is very cold that we have to switch off the air-conditioner.
Answer: (very - so)

8. Identifying types of mistakes
Homonyms (words that sound the same)
e.g. That department store is now on sail.
Answer: (sail - sale)
Verb-to-be (is /were / being / been)
e.g. The parents surprised that their kids could perform so well.
Answer: (parents ^were surprised )

9. Identifying types of mistakes
Articles (a / an / the)
e.g. She bought a expensive vase in the auction.
Answer: ( a – an )
Spelling
e.g. This leaflet is published by the goverment.
Answer: (goverment – government )

10. Identifying types of mistakes
Gerunds (V-ing = Noun)
e.g. They enjoyed watch the new film.
Answer: (watch – watching)
Participles (V-ing/-ed = Verb / Adjective)
e.g. It is the first time David Copperfield has performing at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
Answer: (performing – performed)

11. Identifying types of mistakes
Phrasal verbs (Verb + Preposition = a new meaning)
e.g. We have to call in the conference.
Answer: (in – off)
Nouns or verbs that have similar meanings but are used in different contexts (e.g. fast VS quick)
e.g. After paying the school fare I did not have enough money for the concert.
Answer: (fare – fee)

12. Exercise
Proofread these sentences and make suitable correction without changing the meaning.
1. Apart from Henry, whose going?
whose – who’s
2. Can you talk Cantonese or shall I translate?
talk – speak

13. Exercise success – succeeded
3. I am sure I can success in this job.
success – succeeded
4. My father is a man of strong principals.
principals - principles

14. Exercise sit – seat Correct
5. Please take a sit and wait for a moment.
sit – seat
6. The fare from Hong Kong to Bangkok is $2500.
Correct

15. Exercise 7. I don’t know where she is. May be she got lost.
she ^ has got
8. He’s much taller then I expected.
then - than

16. Now, try to finish the rest of the exercise!!