I'm often surprised when speaking to potential clients that they are sometimes hazy on the difference, and expect an edit for the price of a proofread. Or vice versa. 

So, what's the difference? 

There is a big difference, actually, even though they can both be done at the same time. 

Let's start with editing. 

When I receive writing to be edited this is a major piece of work. As not only am I looking for spelling errors, erroneous punctuation and dubious grammar I am also looking for consistency, how well the text reads as well as rudimentary fact checking, asking questions raised by the content and checking general readability of the text. 

Depending on the text, editing can be a very long-winded, in-depth piece of work and can involve restructuring, asking for explanations, and expansions on ideas as well as calling out bits that don't make sense or appear to have no point. As well as picking up on spelling and grammar.  

Proofreading on the other hand, assumes the editing has been done by this stage, and is a final check for spelling, grammar, punctuation and any glaring inconsistency errors (Suzie or Susie for example). A proofread isn't going to tell you that chapter two doesn't make much sense. 

As an example, I used to do proofreading for a vanity press, who charged authors extortionate amounts to print their books for them, whilst paying me peanuts to proofread it. One book was originally written in Korean, and had been translated into English. This would have been fine if the translator had not been using Google Translate. The book made no sense with talk of such things as "flexing arm molluscs" which I'm still not sure what was meant. 

I contacted the publisher and explained the problem with numerous examples, suggesting this would require a MAJOR edit, and maybe a re-translation. Her response - "you're paid to proofread so just correct the grammar". Technically she was right, as a proofreader I was there to check the final draft. But, this is impossible in a text where the words make no sense in the order they are in.  This book 100% needed editing, not proofreading at this stage. 

So, when do you choose an editor and when do you choose a proofreader? 

When you have just finished writing your book or text, completed your own checks but need another pair of eyes to go over it, this is when  an editor will be great, as they can then pick out all the bits that are weak and guide you into making them better. 

When you have received the edit back and made the corrections, then you need a proofread. 

A proofread should be the final thing before you publish something or send it out to publishers or clients. No further writing should be done after a proofread, otherwise it will need to be done again. 

I hope this has made the difference between proofreading and editing a little clearer. If you have a book manuscript, thesis or essay/blog you would like to be proofread or edited then get in touch. I am always happy to help (as long as Google Translate has not been a major part of the writing process).