SProchnow Proofreader

08/18/2025

AP's take on how to format K-9 when referring to police dogs.

Honey bee researchers at Michigan State University are enlisting a four-legged ally to sniff out a danger to the prized pollinators. (AP video: Mike Householder)

07/20/2025

Defuse of diffuse? Which should you use?

Well, do you mean “remove the fuse from or make less harmful, potent, or tense”? Use defuse.

Do you mean “cause to spread freely, extend, or scatter”? Use “diffuse.”

DEFUSE a tense situation with an apology. DEFUSE a bomb.

DIFFUSE essential oil to feel less tense.
DIFFUSE ideas across social media platforms.

Court reporters, need help zeroing in on commonly confused words or other easy-to-miss errors in your transcripts? DM me to see how I can help you turn in clear, polished, professional transcripts.

confused words

01/23/2025

In case you were wondering:

Trump’s order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, do not have to recognize the name change.

08/26/2024

A little Monday morning inspiration from one of my favorite world leaders during the pandemic.

Who else misses Jacinda Arden?

08/04/2024

Is it "diffuse the situation" or "defuse the situation" 🤔?

Here's how I remember: A tense situation can be a little like a 💣 with a lit fuse, ready to explode, so you need to "de-fuse" that bomb.

"He was trying to defuse the situation and threw the gun away."

06/02/2024

Why, oh why, oh why?

They learned it step-by-step.
BUT
They learned it side by side.

Hyphens 🤷‍♀️.

06/01/2024

04/04/2024

I have to admit I was stumped 🤔 yesterday when asked how to make the 🍓company name Driscoll’s possessive.
Love ❤️ ❤️ that the answer is “Do nothing”!

03/03/2024

Wait -- what? "Waitlist" is one word?

If it's a noun, it is. I have to admit I had no idea until I just looked it up this morning 😅.

AP Style tip: It's waitlist, one word, as a noun but wait-list, with a hyphen, as a verb.

12/21/2023

Q: What's the difference between catchup and catch-up? 🤔(Hint: the hyphen is not optional.)

A: Catchup = ketchup = a condiment. Catch-up = "the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up." (Merriam-Webster online)

follow my art account on instagram: :) – Download this photo by Fernando Andrade on Unsplash

11/26/2023

A useful vocabulary tip for visual learners:

We hope this post is discreet.

11/26/2023

Here's a useful tip I found today about suspended hyphens. It really helped me solve a proofreading puzzle🤔.

I now know the correct way to use hyphens in this sentence:

"It's a roughly two-and-a-half-to-three-hour drive.

I hope this tip helps you too!