Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

---

proofread, proofreads, proofreading

Synonyms: edit, review, check, correct, revise

---

Antonyms: draft, write, overlook, ignore errors, misread

The Verb Proofread – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb proofread is an irregular verb meaning to read through a piece of text to find and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: proofread
■ Past Simple: proofread
■ Past Participle: proofread
■ Present Participle/Gerund: proofreading


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Proofread' is used in any context involving written text, from academic and professional writing to casual emails.


1. Checking for Errors
This is the verb's specific and only meaning.


■ Professional: 'Every article is carefully proofread before it goes to print.'
■ Academic: 'You must proofread your essay for mistakes before you submit it.'
■ Personal: 'I should have proofread that email more carefully; it was full of typos.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: PRONUNCIATION AND 'PROOFREAD' VS. 'EDIT'


■ Pronunciation of Past Tense: Although spelled the same, the past tense 'proofread' is pronounced like the color 'red.' (e.g., 'I proof-red it yesterday.') The present tense is pronounced 'proof-reed.'


■ Proofread vs. Edit: These are related but different.
■ Editing involves improving the overall quality of the writing, including sentence structure, clarity, and style.
■ Proofreading is the final stage, focused only on correcting surface errors (typos, grammar mistakes).