A Short Guide to Homophones and Examples of Common Homophones
Words that sound similar but have different meanings can be confusing, especially for those learning a new language. These types of words are known as homophones, and they are a common source of confusion for both native and non-native speakers of English. In this article, we will look at some of the most common homophones in English and their different meanings.
- "Bare" and "Bear": The word "bare" is used as an adjective to describe something that is naked or uncovered, while "bear" can be used as a noun to describe a large mammal or a verb meaning to carry or tolerate.
- "Brake" and "Break": "Brake" is a verb meaning to slow down or stop a vehicle, while "break" can be used as a verb meaning to fracture or destroy, or as a noun to describe a fracture.
- "Write" and "Right": "Write" is a verb meaning to produce written material, while "right" can be used as an adjective meaning correct, or as a noun meaning the opposite of left.
- "Pray" and "Prey": "Pray" is a verb meaning to communicate with a deity, while "prey" is a noun meaning an animal hunted for food.
- "Their", "There", and "They're": "Their" is a possessive pronoun, "there" is used to indicate a place or position, and "they're" is a contraction of "they are".
- "Peace" and "Piece": "Peace" is a noun meaning freedom from disturbance or an absence of conflict, while "piece" can be used as a noun meaning a part of something, or as a verb meaning to repair.
- "Affect" and "Effect": "Affect" is a verb meaning to influence or produce a change, while "effect" can be used as a noun meaning the result of a change or as a verb meaning to bring about a change.
These are just a few examples of homophones in English. It's important to be aware of these words and their different meanings, especially in situations where clear and precise communication is important. By paying attention to these words and their meanings, you can improve your English language skills and avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
Proofread your Document
At Express Proofreading, our team of professional proofreaders are fully trained to identify and rectify issues found in your work, no matter how long or short the piece of writing is.
We can be prompt with reviewing and returning the proofread document, so if you are on a tight schedule, please let us know and we will endeavour to meet your needs. Get in touch today for an instant quote, whether you require our proofreading services immediately or are simply planning ahead.
Tips on Writing a White Paper
A white paper is a persuasive document that presents a particular point of view or solution to a problem. It is often used in the business world to promote a product, service, or technology, but it can also be used in other areas, such as politics or policymaking. Here are the steps to follow to write a white paper.
- Identify the problem: The first step in writing a white paper is to identify the problem that you are trying to solve. This should be a problem that your target audience cares about and is relevant to your business or organization.
- Research: Once you have identified the problem, it's time to research it thoroughly. Look for relevant data, statistics, and expert opinions that will help you make your case.
- Define your solution: Based on your research, define your solution to the problem. Make sure that it is clear, concise, and well-supported by your research.
- Outline your white paper: Before you start writing, create an outline of your white paper. This should include an introduction that defines the problem, a main body that presents your solution and supporting evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points.
- Write the introduction: Start by writing an introduction that sets the stage for your white paper. This should be engaging and clearly state the problem that you are trying to solve.
- Present your solution: In the main body of your white paper, present your solution to the problem. Use your research to support your argument, and be sure to address any potential objections to your solution.
- Conclude your white paper: In the conclusion of your white paper, summarize your main points and restate your solution to the problem. This is also a good place to include a call to action, asking your readers to take a specific next step.
- Edit and proofread: Once you have finished writing your white paper, it's important to edit and proofread it thoroughly. Make sure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
By following these steps, you can write a compelling and persuasive white paper that presents your solution to a problem in a clear and convincing way. Keep in mind that a white paper is a persuasive document, so be sure to use your research and data to support your argument, and be mindful of your tone and language.
Proofread your Document
At Express Proofreading, our team of professional proofreaders are fully trained to identify and rectify issues found in your work, no matter how long or short the piece of writing is.
We can be prompt with reviewing and returning the document, so if you are on a tight schedule, please let us know and we will endeavour to meet your needs. Get in touch today for an instant quote, whether you require our services immediately or are simply planning ahead.
What are Some of the Differences Between British and American English
English is a language that is widely spoken all over the world. However, the way it is spoken varies greatly from country to country, even within the same language-speaking nations. The two most commonly recognized forms of English are British English and American English. While these two forms of English are similar in many ways, they also have some significant differences. In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the main differences between British English and American English.
Vocabulary
One of the most noticeable differences between British and American English is the vocabulary. There are many words that are commonly used in Britain that are not used in America and vice versa. For example, in Britain, the word “biscuit” refers to what Americans call a “cookie”, while in America, the word “biscuit” refers to a type of bread roll. Another example is the word “boot”, which in Britain refers to the trunk of a car, while in America it refers to a type of footwear.
Pronunciation
Pronunciation is another area where British and American English differ. While the basic rules of pronunciation are the same, there are many words that are pronounced differently in the two countries. For example, in Britain, the word “schedule” is pronounced “shed-yool”, while in America it is pronounced “sked-yool”.
Grammar
Although the grammatical structure of British and American English is the same, there are some differences in the way words are used. For example, in Britain, the present perfect tense is used much more frequently than in America. In America, the simple past tense is used more often. Another difference is the use of “have got” in Britain, which is equivalent to “have” in America.
Spelling
Spelling is another area where British and American English differ. There are many words that are spelled differently in the two countries. For example, in Britain, the word “colour” is spelled with a “u”, while in America it is spelled “color”. This is a similar pattern for many other words, such as “behaviour” and “favour”. Another example is the word “centre”, which in Britain is spelled with a “re”, while in America it is spelled “center”.
In conclusion, while British and American English are similar in many ways, they also have some significant differences. These differences include vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and spelling. It is important to be aware of these differences if you are writing for business or academic purposes. Also, by understanding the differences, you can improve your communication and avoid misunderstandings.
Proofreading your writing
You may want to think about getting somebody detached from your work to read over it after you have made your own amends. This will ensure that your writing is in the correct form of English, without any errors, and flows in a way that the reader can understand.
Proofreading will seek to ensure that grammatical, syntax and spelling errors are eradicated and that the whole text makes complete sense. Any words which do not quite fit in the context can be amended and then the finished product can then be achieved.
At Express Proofreading, our expert team can manage the proofreading of your work. You can obtain an instant proofreading quote through our website. You can find out more about our proofreading services, on our academic proofreading page if your writing is of an academic nature such as essays or dissertations or visit our business proofreading page if your writing is for a business context.
A Short Guide to Writing a PhD Proposal
The PhD proposal is an essential part of the PhD application, in this short guide, we highlight some of the key factors to consider when writing your proposal.
The primary objective of the PhD proposal is to outline the nature of your research and give an idea of how you intend to conduct this research. The proposal should make a strong first impression and exemplify that you would be a good and committed potential researcher. You will also be demonstrating that you are a good fit for the supervisors at your chosen university.
Many people will view the PhD proposal as a complicated and inconvenient part of the application process. However, a good PhD proposal does not need to be complicated. Although it can be challenging to write and so it is important to get it right.
Though there is no exact prescribed format for a general research proposal (across all subjects), all of the following are considered important to consider. You need to check your own subject’s particular conventions and expectations. In summary though, a research proposal should include six main sections, as detailed below:
1) clear title for your research project
- What will you call your project?
- What keywords would describe your proposal?
2) a clear statement about what you want to work on and why it is important
- What are your main research objectives?
- What difference do you think your research will make?
- Why does this research excite you?
- What research ‘gaps’ will you be filling by undertaking your project?
- How would your research ‘add value’ to the subject?
3) background knowledge and context of the area in which you wish to work
- How does your work link to the work of others in the same field?
- How does your work relate to the expertise within the department you are applying
to?
4) consideration of the methods/approach you might use
- How will you conduct your research?
- Will you use existing theories, new methods/approaches or develop new ones?
- How might you design your project to get the best results/findings?
5) some indication of the strategy and timetable for your research project and any research
challenges you may face
- What would be the main stages of your project?
- What would you be expecting to do in each year of your PhD?
6) a list of the key references which support your PhD proposal
- References should be listed in the appropriate convention for your subject area (e.g.
Harvard). Such references should be used throughout your research proposal to demonstrate that you have read and understood the work of others.
The length of a PhD proposal
As a guide, a PhD proposal should be between 1,000-2,000 words. Although this is by no means set in stone, occasionally, some universities may stipulate the exact word count. You should ensure that your research proposal follows any university and college/departmental guidance on websites. You should also refine and edit your proposal many times before it is submitted to demonstrate that you have put the time and effort in. It will also demonstrate your motivation and commitment to pursuing your PhD.
Proofreading your PhD proposal
You may want to think about getting somebody who is detached from your work to read over it after you have made your own amends. This will ensure that the PhD proposal is well written without any errors and flows in a way which the reader can understand.
Proofreading will seek to ensure that grammatical, syntax and spelling errors are eradicated and that the whole text makes complete sense. Any words which do not quite fit in the context can be amended and then the finished product can then be achieved.
At Express Proofreading, our expert team can manage the proofreading of your work. You can obtain an instant proofreading quote through our website. You can find out more about our PhD proofreading service here. We even have an express turnaround service, so if you are working to a deadline, then you can still ensure the quality of your work is at its best.
5 Tips for Writing a PhD Thesis
Often the culmination of years of research comes down to writing a PhD thesis. Before you embark on this mission, we have highlighted 5 tips for you to remember as you work your way through your PhD thesis.
This blog is, of course, just to highlight key points to consider when writing a PhD thesis. Please do also take on board any teaching or tutorials you have had as part of your learning to ensure that your PhD thesis is in keeping with the standards of the academic institution you are working with.
1. Plan
The universal first point to consider is that planning is essential. No matter how long you have to work on your PhD research and thesis writing, you want to be as efficient as possible with your time.
Procrastinating drags out the process and means that you end up spending longer on what you are doing when you could be focusing on the job in hand.
Be prepared to draft, re-draft and re-write several times. There will always be improvements that are required from your first draft, and so it is wise to factor in time to re-write drafts so that your PhD thesis can be in its best possible shape when it is submitted.
Having time away from the thesis once it is complete will allow you to revisit it with a critical perspective before submission. With this critical eye, you can edit and proofread your academic project in ample time.
Remember to allocate time for all of this in the initial planning stages so that you can comfortably meet your deadline.
2. Remember the Reasons for Research
Keep in mind the bigger picture of what you are doing when writing a PhD thesis. Remembering any hypotheses, research questions and what you are looking to find out from your research will help you to make sure you stay on track.
This is key both for your own sake and that of the reader.
You want to make sure that you don’t veer away from the point when writing up, so make sure that everything you are writing has some kind of link to the research. This will, in turn, make more sense to the reader and keep them engaged as they know that all of the content is relevant.
3. Write Up as You Go
Another paramount point to stay on top of this is writing up all of your research as well as methodologies and findings along the way.
Just think, if your course takes a number of years, how can you expect yourself to remember the specifics of one of your initial research panels years afterwards? Take notes and write up as you go; you will thank yourself later.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, but when writing a PhD thesis, tackling it in chunks as certain instances occur will help you to make and achieve realistic goals.
Plus, you don’t have to write it all in order. Write up what you are currently working on, and when it comes to bringing it all together, you can position different parts in the right places and then write an introduction that encompasses the entire research project. Read our guide on structuring a dissertation or thesis.
It is also wise to consider any techniques or structural advice given by your faculty.
4. Utilise Your Supervisor
On the back of the previous point, making good use of your supervisor is a great way to ensure that you are doing everything necessary when planning and writing a PhD thesis to best showcase the work you have done.
If you are lucky enough to have a great tutor who can mentor you throughout the process, then well done! If, however, this isn’t quite the case, consider reaching out to others who have recently graduated from the programme that you are on and see if they can offer any insights for you.
Writing a PhD thesis isn’t easy. If it were, we would all be doing it. Reach out to knowledgeable people, and while they cannot take baby steps throughout the whole process with you, they should be able to offer guidance and advice for success.
5. Referencing and Quotes
As with any kind of academic project, referencing and correct citations are key. They can often be easy ways to get some extra marks, but the necessity for correct referencing is so that you are not plagiarising.
In a literature review, for example, or if backing up some of your findings with other research that has been done on a similar topic, you must correctly reference the author, publication and date of writing.
There are many different types of referencing, such as Harvard or Chicago. Make sure that you are confident with the referencing technique for your faculty and that you keep a list of publications and authors throughout your research and writing. You do not want to be scouring websites, journals and libraries for books and publications at the last minute.
Remember These Top Tips
To round up what we have recommended in this guide to writing a PhD thesis, here are some key points to take away:
- Planning is key
- Consider structure and referencing
- Always link back to the research questions or intentions
- Write up as you work your way through, and do so in detail
- Reach out to your supervisor or tap into others’ expertise
- Remember to reference and keep a list of resources throughout the project
- Factor in time for editing and proofreading
Professional Proofreading Services
Once you have edited, structured and critically reviewed the content of your PhD thesis, if you would like a professional to take a look at your PhD, get in touch with us as our PhD proofreaders have years of experience proofreading PhDs. Our PhD proofreading service is designed to ensure that your PhD is flawless and ready to be submitted. Obtain an instant PhD proofreading quote from us today by visiting the instant quote page.
New Words in the Dictionary in 2019
We believe that developing reading and writing skills never ends, and there is always space in our brains to pick up new words.
The end of the year is often a reflective time for many, and it’s the same here at Express Proofreading, too. In this blog, we take a look at some of the new words and phrases which have been added to the dictionary this year.
Let’s see how many you are familiar with, and if you will be incorporating any of these new words into your writing any time soon!
It’s a Real Phrase?!
Well, now it is! There is quite a broad selection of phrases here, some of which started off as colloquial slang and now have pride of place in the dictionary! You may be glad to know that ‘dad joke’ has been recognised in the dictionary, but we’re pretty sure they don’t need an explanation!
How about these?
Vacay
The next of the new words in the dictionary this year is ‘vacay’, which is an abbreviation of ‘vacation’. More of an American type of slang, this word has made its way into the British vocabulary through the likes of Instagram and other social media.
Inspo
Another shortened version of a perfectly fine word is ‘inspo’. Admittedly, the four syllables of ‘inspiration’ is a bit much for social media, and so, it’s been shortened.
Inspo is also used as a suffix or abbreviated even more to explain people’s goals, such as ‘fitspo’, ‘food inspo’, and more. We’re sure that you will be able to find all kinds of inspo across social media with a quick search!
Snowflake
Although the colder months are drawing closer, the snowflake that is new to the dictionary has a different meaning.
The newest definition of a snowflake is actually a rather derogatory name for an easily offended or overly sensitive person. A snowflake tends to believe that they are entitled to special treatment, while the wider majority often doesn’t seem to agree with them.
Stan
‘We stan’ is a phrase that continues to do the rounds across the likes of Twitter, particularly among the younger generations.
What does it mean? It appears to be a combination of stalker and fan, as the definition explains that a ‘stan’ is an overzealous superfan of a celebrity.
More recently, this phrase has been trending on social media for celebrity fans who are standing up for their idols, whether they are going through tough times or unfair treatment.
Particularly Useful New Words
So, the above words could be beneficial for your informal communications, fictional writing or purely for understanding what people are saying!
The following selections are words and phrases that could actually be used by many in a variety of circumstances.
They
For as long as we can remember, when we haven’t known the gender of a person somebody is talking to us about, we have used ‘they’. For example, when someone says their friend is on holiday, you may respond “where are they?”.
This definition is now becoming increasingly popular for non-binary individuals who do not identify with a particular gender. ‘They’ has now been given a separate definition as the non-binary pronoun to make it easier for the affected people and those interacting with them.
Coulrophobia
Particularly useful with the release of hit film Joker a few months ago; those with coulrophobia would have known to go and watch a different film.
Coulrophobia is the extreme or abnormal fear of clowns and was added to the Merriam Webster dictionary this year.
Gig Economy
The term ‘gig economy’ was coined in 2009, but officially entered the Merriam Webster dictionary earlier this year.
It is defined as the ‘economic activity that involves the use of temporary or freelance workers to perform jobs, typically in the service sector’.
This term is often used in business and whenever workers’ rights are in discussion, so it’s great that the definition has been officially recognised in the dictionary.
Solopreneur
A solopreneur is a solo entrepreneur, which seems a little confusing as most of the time, entrepreneur is how we refer to an individual.
The differentiating element of a solopreneur is that they manage all aspects of a business or enterprise without the help of a partner, whereas an entrepreneur might seek the help of partners.
Are These New Words Worthy?
From the already obvious to the fair additions to various dictionaries, it is interesting to see which words and phrases have made the cut.
Do you think you will be able to use any of these new words in your writing? The non-binary pronoun can help with showing empathy and understanding, so it can be a lesson learned as society develops. As for any ‘vacay inspo’, you might want to stick to Instagram with that!
Whether you are writing for formal or leisurely purposes, and regardless of if you incorporate new words or the classic English language, the team of professionals at Express Proofreading is here to make sure that whatever the message, it resonates properly.
Check out the different types of proofreading services we offer and obtain an instant proofreading service quote from us today. Our team can identify any spelling, punctuation, syntax and grammar issues so that the work you submit or publish depicts the right message.
Six Tips to Improve Your Writing Skills
Writing comes easy to some, and with others, it can take a little time. The common factor with all kinds of writers, whether they write fact or fiction, for business or leisure, is this: writing takes practice. Our writing skills can be developed constantly, no matter how long we have been doing it.
We’ve rounded up six top ways to improve your writing skills. You may be surprised to see that practice isn’t always in the form of writing! Read on to find out more.
1. Read Often
Reading as often as you get the opportunity to will help in a variety of ways. Your vocabulary can be broadened, you can pick up on writing styles that you like, and even those that you don’t.
Whatever the industry, whether you are writing fact or fiction, there are bound to be some writers that you prefer over others. Knowing what you like from these authors can help to influence your own writing skills and choices.
By finding writing skills and techniques that you admire, you can create a collection of inspirational works which you then use to learn from. As you practice your writing, you can compare your own learning to these admired works and keep track of your development.
2. Write Whenever You Can
Now, this is the most obvious way of how to improve your writing skills, but practicing does help. Putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard in a practice setting can help you to identify any existing writing skills or strengths as well as weaknesses or areas for improvement in your writing.
You can use these practice periods to try out particular styles that you enjoyed while reading, as well as other techniques, so that when it comes to writing the main piece, you know what to do.
There are many different writing skills to be mastered, such as weaving snippets of information into stories, creating rhythm with sentences, and even getting to the point with concise writing.
Each of these, as well as all other writing styles, take time and patience to perfect.
3. Re-trace the basics
While mastering new styles is helpful in the development of your writing skills, make sure that you are also fully grounded in the basics of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Perfecting these will improve the way in which your writing reads. Plus, correct usage will make you sound much more professional.
In both the basics and in understanding new styles, set small, achievable goals, and stick at it.
Planning is Key
When it gets to the stage where you are ready to start putting all of your well-practiced writing skills into action, be sure to plan out your writing appropriately.
Understanding the outline of the content, the writing style, and how you will construct it into its final form, be it a novel or a report, will help to guide you through the process.
For example, how much information can be given away at each stage, in a way that it tells a story and that the reader can also keep up with what is happening? To succeed in this, it is crucial to plan out the structure properly.
Take a look through our blog on planning out the writing process for further help on getting started and organising your thoughts before you begin writing.
Anticipate the Reader’s Reaction
Fact or fiction. Essay, report or book. Whatever you are writing, it is expected to be received by the reader. Throughout the planning and in the writing stage, be sure to keep at the forefront of your mind how the reader will react.
Will they have any questions? When will those questions be answered? Are they to be obvious answers or will they be uncovered later in the text?
Whatever the answer, be sure that it will be revealed to the reader at some point.
Another of the facets of great writing skills is to assess how much description will need to go into profiles of people, places, historical events and more.
Put yourself in the reader’s shoes and take it from there.
Drafting and Re-Drafting
Your first draft is certainly not your last. That’s why it is a draft.
Be prepared to make tweaks, move things around, take things out and add things in. What sounded good the first time may not sound quite right when you re-read through it. You may need to be a little harsh on yourself to perfect your writing, but it will lead to better work.
Fine-tuning the small details and making sure that every sentence serves a purpose can be draining and time-consuming. If you have taken the time to improve your writing skills before you started writing, then it may be easier to identify and rectify errors.
Editing and Proofreading
You may want to think about getting somebody who is detached from your works to read over the piece and edit it after you have made your own amends. This will ensure that the story or the information makes sense to the standard reader and flows in a way which the reader can understand.
Once the editing is complete, proofreading must then take place.
Proofreading will seek to ensure that grammatical, syntax and spelling errors are eradicated and that the whole text makes complete sense. Any words which don’t quite fit in the context can be amended and then the finished product can then be achieved.
Whatever the type of writing you are creating, at Express Proofreading, our expert team can manage the proofreading of your work, but should you want to check for yourself first, read our blog on how to effectively proofread your documents.
You can obtain an instant proofreading quote through our website. We even have an express turnaround service, so if you are working to a deadline, then you can still ensure the quality of your work is at its best.
5 Stages of the Writing Process
Whatever the purpose of the piece that you are writing, there are certain stages, or checkpoints, in the writing process which it helps to bear in mind to make sure that you stay on track.
In this blog, we have highlighted 5 key stages of the writing process and given details on what should be done at each of these stages. This will help to ensure that you have all of the information you need before you start writing, and can usually streamline the writing process.
1. Brainstorming
The primary stage of the writing process with any form of writing is the brainstorming of ideas. Whether it is a novel, a business report, or an academic essay, it is important to get all of your ideas into some kind of visual format, rather than just inside your head.
Writing out ideas for different chapters of the report, essay or novel will help you to link up themes and think of related topics or details to include when it gets around to the writing of the piece.
2. Planning and Research
Once you have brainstormed the various elements of the piece you are creating, the next stage of the writing process is the planning and research.
You can plan where different chapters will appear and see if they make sense where they are. It is likely that some degree of research will be required so that you can provide accurate details, whether it be the setting for a novel, information on a profession or sourcing published data for your project.
List the required research, and once you have identified everything that needs researching, go ahead and do it. Be sure to note down important information and where you found it. This will help if you need to revisit it or for referencing purposes in reports or essays.
If you have a deadline, be sure to factor in enough time for your research so that you can get enough information, but also so that you don’t get sucked into an abyss of never-ending research.
3. Drafting
It may take time for you to get to this stage, but if you have planned accordingly, then that is fine. Often, the more effort that is put into the planning phase, the easier the drafting stage becomes.
At this point in the writing process, you will be actually writing up the piece. Remember to structure it properly with paragraphs, page numbers, a contents page and reference list depending on the type of document you are writing.
Make sure that, particularly when writing for formal business or academic purposes, you write up your research in your own words. It is fine to use information from other sources and refer to it, just make sure it is referenced properly.
This is a rough draft, but the more thought that goes into it as you write, the less time it is expected that you will need to spend editing. Dedicate a certain amount of time per day or per week to writing, if you think this will help you to focus.
Once you have finished the first draft and included everything that you want to say, re-read it and check that everything flows in an order that makes sense.
Check and double-check that you have included the right information in the right places, and that someone other than yourself as the author would be able to understand it.
4. Editing
The fine-tuning of your work is the next stage of the writing process.
You can be confident that all of your ideas and research are included in the right place thanks to your thorough drafting.
Now, read it again, aloud if possible. This can make it easier to identify errors in the flow or structure.
If you feel like some elements could do with further clarification, this is the time when you can do that extra research to make it crystal clear.
Having read the entire document multiple times now, you may have discovered that some areas are repetitive. It’s then your call to decide whether to remove the repeated sections or to rephrase them if they are still important in every section or chapter of the piece of writing.
5. Proofreading
When you are happy with the content, structure, flow and all of the points made, it may then be time for the final stage of the writing process: proofreading.
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, capitalisations or incorrect uses of words can be rectified at this stage. Proofreading is paramount, particularly when presenting research or if you are expecting people to pay money for your work. It should be in perfect condition without any errors.
You could check out our blog on how to proofread effectively if you would like some guidance.
Once you have taken a look through it yourself, it may then be best to hire a professional proofreader. A fresh set of eyes on this document that you could have spent months or even years preparing, may be able to spot errors quicker because they are less emotionally attached to it.
At Express Proofreading, our team of professional proofreaders are fully trained to identify and rectify issues found in your work, no matter how long or short the piece of writing is.
We can be prompt with reviewing and returning the document, so if you are on a tight schedule, please let us know and we will endeavour to meet your needs. Get in touch today for an instant quote, whether you require our services immediately or are simply planning ahead.