Grammar apps like Grammarly, Hemingway and ProWritingAid are in everyone's workflow these days (well, if you're someone who tinkers with words). So why would anyone pay for a professional editor? Don't they do the same thing as grammar checkers? Uh, no. We’re humans, not bots. Our services go much deeper. Here are 6 things editors do that don’t involve grammar or spelling:
1. Spot factual errors
Just because you wrote it, doesn’t mean it’s true. Writers can get names, dates, stats and places wrong. Sometimes it’s an obvious typo. We do some light research (or ask you questions) to make sure all your facts check out. Sure, you can prompt ChatGPT to find errors, but given that it's prone to hallucinate facts, I wouldn't rely on it.
2. Eliminate repetition
It’s not unusual to repeat words, paragraphs or even ideas. For example, you may use the word ‘influence’ or 'in fact' too many times in one paragraph. Or you may repeat the same idea in different words. I call these writing blind spots – and they're easy to overlook. We let you know where this happens so it doesn’t weaken your argument or frustrate readers.
3. Apply a style guide/brand voice
Most publishers have a style guide with preferred spelling, punctuation or capitalisation. We make sure any styles have been implemented. If we’re editing marketing copy, we pay attention to brand guidelines and UX. Are the tone of voice and style on-brand? Is the copy or content targeting the right audience? We identify anything ‘off-brand’ and, if appropriate, provide alternatives.
4. Identify information gaps or bias
Have you supported your claims? Is there a key point missing in your argument? We show you where you can slot in examples to strengthen your argument or make abstract concepts more accessible. In some cases, we may find assumptions, bias or defamatory content in your writing. We’ll signpost these so you can make your writing more inclusive and minimise harm.
5. Recast sentences
Recasting shouldn’t be confused with rewriting. The first rearranges a sentence for clarity; the second changes words and meaning. If a sentence is in the passive voice, we’ll often (but not always) change it to the active voice. Passive voice isn’t grammatically wrong, but it can slow down momentum or obscure your meaning.
We’ll also recast wordy sentences. For example, ‘at a later date’ might change to ‘later’ and ‘the process of eating’ might change to ‘eating’. Why? Because extra words don’t add meaning. They just make your sentences longer and harder to read.
6. Ask you questions
AI can respond to questions, but it can't ask them. Questions are the linchpin of good, no, exceptional editing. They make the editing process dynamic and collaborative. If a reference looks dubious, we ask you to cross-check it. If a sentence lacks clarity, we quiz you for more information. AI would just rewrite it by making an assumption about what you were trying to say, which can lead to inaccuracies or misrepresentation.
Will AI replace editors? Not yet ...
So while grammar apps or even ChatGPT can help you weed out common spelling or grammar errors, they don't do deep work, like checking facts, improving flow and ensuring your voice or style is consistent.
So will AI replace editors when the tech becomes more sophisticated? Possibly. But for the time being, choosing a human editor is your best bet.
So if your grammar apps aren't measuring up or it takes you too long to go through flagged errors, get in touch. With my publishing experience and human insights (try getting that from AI!), I'll weed out errors, suggest improvements and make your writing the best version it can be.
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