Proofreaders and editors have different roles, but both are important in making writing the best it can be.
Proofreaders focus on catching mistakes in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. They usually work on the final version of a document to make sure it’s clean, polished, and ready to be published. Their careful attention to detail helps prevent errors from slipping through. They make sure readers don’t get distracted by small mistakes and can focus on the content itself.
Editors have a bigger role that goes beyond just fixing mistakes. They also look at the content itself, helping make ideas clearer, improving flow, and keeping the style and tone consistent. Editors work with writers to shape the writing, suggest changes, and sometimes rewrite sections to make the text stronger and easier to understand. They help bring out the writer’s message in the best possible way so it connects with the audience.