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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Proofreading Test: Spot Errors and Polish Your Writing

Fast, free proofreading practice test-instant feedback and answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Aspen WheelerUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for proofreading quiz on dark blue background

This proofreading quiz helps you spot grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and polish each sentence. Build speed and accuracy, then try our copyediting test for broader editing skills or drill structure with a run-on sentence quiz. For quick checks, practice questions where you choose the correct answer before returning to the main quiz.

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The report however was submitted on time.
The report, however was submitted on time.
The report however, was submitted, on time.
The report, however, was submitted on time. (Correct: Set off the interrupter with commas before and after.)
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Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
The list of item are on the desk.
The list of items are on the desk.
The list of items is on the desk. (Correct: Subject is singular 'list', so use 'is'.)
The list of items were on the desk.
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Pick the correct use of apostrophes.
Its' a cold day for the teams' to play.
Its a cold day for the team to play.
It's a cold day for the team's to play.
It's a cold day for the teams to play. (Correct: 'It's' means 'it is'; 'teams' is plural without apostrophe.)
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Choose the correctly spelled and used word.
You are' the only person who arrived early.
You're the only person who arrived early. (Correct: Contraction of 'you are' is 'you're'.)
Youre the only person who arrived early.
Your the only person who arrived early.
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Select the sentence without a comma splice.
We finished the project; it was a success. (Correct: Use a semicolon to link two independent clauses.)
We finished the project it was a success.
We finished the project, and it was a success
We finished the project, it was a success.
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Choose the sentence with correct colon usage.
She brought three things: a notebook, a pen, and water. (Correct: Use a colon after a complete clause to introduce a list.)
She: brought a notebook, a pen, and water.
She brought, a notebook, a pen, and water:
She brought: a notebook, a pen, and water.
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Select the sentence that avoids wordiness while keeping meaning.
We were late for the reason that we missed the train.
Because we were late, we missed the train. (Correct: Concise and clear.)
As a result of being late, the train was missed by us.
Due to the fact that we were late, we missed the train.
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Pick the correctly punctuated nonrestrictive clause.
The interns, who arrived early, found seats near the front. (Correct: Nonrestrictive clause set off with commas.)
The interns, who arrived early found seats near the front.
The interns who arrived early, found seats near the front.
The interns who, arrived early found seats near the front.
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Choose the correct verb form for parallel structure.
She likes to hike, to swimming, and to bike.
She likes hiking, to swim, and biking.
She likes to hike, swimming, and bike.
She likes hiking, swimming, and biking. (Correct: All gerunds create parallelism.)
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Select the sentence with correct semicolon usage.
The meeting ran long; the agenda was full. (Correct: Links two related independent clauses.)
The meeting ran long: the agenda was full.
The meeting ran long, the agenda was full.
The meeting ran long; because the agenda was full.
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Select the correct placement of commas with adjectives.
It was a long, winding, road.
It was a long winding road.
It was a long, winding road.
It was a long and, winding road.
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Pick the correctly punctuated sentence with an introductory clause.
Because the forecast looked bad, we postponed the picnic. (Correct: Comma after introductory dependent clause.)
Because, the forecast looked bad, we postponed the picnic.
Because the forecast, looked bad we postponed the picnic.
Because the forecast looked bad we postponed the picnic.
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Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure in a list with clauses.
Our goals are to increase sales, improving retention, and that we expand globally.
Our goals are to increase sales, to improve retention, and to expand globally. (Correct: Parallel infinitive phrases.)
Our goals are to increase sales, to improve retention, and expansion globally.
Our goals are increasing sales, to improve retention, and expanding globally.
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Select the sentence with correct capitalization of directions.
My cousins moved to the West of the city.
My Cousins moved west of the city.
My cousins moved West of the City.
My cousins moved west of the city. (Correct: Lowercase for direction, not a proper region.)
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Pick the correct treatment of numbers in text (general style).
We hired seven new employees and ordered three laptop's.
We hired 7 new employees and ordered three laptops.
We hired seven new employees and ordered 3 laptops.
We hired seven new employees and ordered three laptops. (Correct: Spell out small numbers for consistency in prose.)
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Select the sentence with correct use of a colon for emphasis.
Her reason is simple, honesty.
Her reason is: simple, honesty.
Her reason: is simple honesty.
Her reason is simple: honesty. (Correct: Colon after a complete clause to emphasize a single element.)
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Pick the sentence with correct en dash usage for ranges.
The workshop runs 9 to 11 a.m., Monday-to-Friday.
The workshop runs 9–11 a.m., Monday–Friday. (Correct: En dash for number and date ranges.)
The workshop runs 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday.
The workshop runs 9—11 a.m. Monday—Friday.
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Choose the sentence that correctly uses a restrictive which/that.
The laptop which, has 32GB of RAM, is out of stock.
The laptop which has 32GB of RAM is out of stock.
The laptop that has 32GB of RAM is out of stock. (Correct: 'That' commonly introduces restrictive clauses in American English.)
The laptop, that has 32GB of RAM, is out of stock.
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Select the sentence with correct subjunctive mood.
If I were you, I will review the contract twice.
If I were you, I would review the contract twice. (Correct: Use 'were' in contrary-to-fact conditions.)
If I was you, I would review the contract twice.
If I am you, I would review the contract twice.
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Pick the sentence with correct placement of punctuation with parentheses.
We launched the feature. (After months of testing).
We launched the feature (after months of testing),.
We launched the feature (after months of testing). (Correct: Period follows the closing parenthesis when the entire sentence is not within parentheses.)
We launched the feature (after months of testing.).
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Spelling and Grammar Errors -

    Pinpoint common spelling mistakes and grammatical slips within sentences to strengthen your editing accuracy. This outcome helps you recognize errors quickly during any proofreading test.

  2. Detect Punctuation and Formatting Issues -

    Spot misplaced commas, incorrect apostrophes, and formatting inconsistencies to ensure polished text. You will gain confidence in handling punctuation challenges in the proofreading quiz.

  3. Differentiate Correct and Incorrect Sentence Constructions -

    Compare properly structured sentences against flawed ones to understand clear writing principles. This skill sharpens your ability to choose the best phrasing on proofreading practice quizzes.

  4. Apply Structured Proofreading Techniques -

    Use systematic approaches - such as reading aloud or backward scanning - to uncover hidden errors. Applying these methods improves efficiency during a proofreading test or real-world editing.

  5. Evaluate Your Proofreading Performance -

    Interpret feedback and quiz results to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This outcome encourages continuous growth in your proofreading skills quiz journey.

  6. Revise Sentences for Clarity and Conciseness -

    Transform error-filled sentences into clear, concise prose by rewriting awkward or redundant passages. You'll practice this essential skill through targeted proofreading questions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Common Spelling Pitfalls -

    Review homophones and confusable words by memorizing tricks like "i before e except after c." For example, in a proofreading quiz you'd catch "their" vs. "there" by substituting words in the sentence to test meaning. Reliable sources like Merriam-Webster and Oxford Dictionaries list top misspellings to practice.

  2. Strengthen Subject-Verb Agreement -

    Brush up on rules ensuring singular subjects pair with singular verbs and plurals with plurals, e.g., "The team is" versus "The teams are." Purdue OWL's grammar guide provides clear charts and exercises that mirror proofreading test questions. Mnemonic: "One subject, one verb" helps you spot mismatches quickly.

  3. Refine Punctuation Usage -

    Practice placing commas correctly in compound sentences and after introductory phrases; for instance, "After reviewing the report, she approved it." The Chicago Manual of Style offers detailed examples to steady your comma confidence. Remember the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) mnemonic to guide connecting independent clauses.

  4. Detect Passive Voice -

    Learn to convert passive constructions like "The draft was edited by Alex" into active ones: "Alex edited the draft." Cambridge University Press emphasizes active voice for clarity and conciseness, a common focus in proofreading practice quizzes. Ask "Who does the action?" to uncover hidden passives.

  5. Ensure Consistency with Style Guides -

    Follow a single style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago) for capitalization, numbering, and formatting; Platforms like the APA Style website offer free quick-reference sheets. Consistency in hyphenation (e.g., "well-being" vs. "wellbeing") is a frequent proofreading question. Keep a style sheet handy as you tackle a proofreading skills quiz to maintain uniformity.

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