The following chart includes a collection of editing symbols and abbreviations. You may find it a useful guide for some of your instructor’s notes, as well as a resource for peer editing. You may also wish to refer to this chart as a reference for what to watch for in your writing, as you practice for the CAEL.

Term Abbreviation / Symbol Example Correction
Subject-verb agreement SVA Physics are the study of matter and energy. Physics is the study of matter and energy.
Plural Pl Cicada larvae can remain underground for up to 17 year. Cicada larvae can remain underground for up to 17 years.
Parallel form PF Government expenditures include maintaining roads and to provide medical assistance. Government expenditures include maintaining roads and providing medical assistance.
Word order WO The two prime ministers discussed how could they help each other’s countries. The two prime ministers discussed how they could help each other’s countries.
Verb tense VT Molecular biologists Watson and Crick discover DNA nearly 70 years ago. Molecular biologists Watson and Crick discovered DNA nearly 70 years ago.
Sentence fragment Frag To stay protected from UV rays. Use sunscreen and a hat to stay protected from UV rays.
Comma splice CS Victoria is the capital of BC, Vancouver is the larger city. Victoria is the capital of BC, but Vancouver is the larger city.
Wrong article WA The summer heat is often less intense in a morning. The summer heat is often less intense in the morning.
Missing article A? Though they are widely feared, grizzly bear is no more aggressive than the black bear. Though they are widely feared, the grizzly bear is no more aggressive than the black bear.
Run-on sentence RO The jury couldn’t reach a verdict the judge called a recess until the next day. The jury couldn’t reach a verdict, so the judge called a recess until the next day.
Missing verb V? The policewoman asked the witness if he seen anything the night before. The policewoman asked the witness if he had seen anything the night before.
Spelling Sp The umbrela is an old invention, dating back to ancient China. The umbrella is an old invention, dating back to ancient China.
Wrong preposition WPrep In Canada, taxes are commonly due on the end of April. In Canada, taxes are commonly due at the end of April.
Pronoun reference PRef The teachers notified the school board officials that they would soon go on strike. The teachers would soon go on strike, so they notified the school board officials.
Word form WF In medieval Europe, serfs earned their live by farming on rented land. In medieval Europe, serfs earned their living by farming on rented land.
Misplaced modifier MM Two buildings were reported burned by the fire department last night. The fire department reported that two buildings were burned last night.
Insert a comma* insert a coma symbol Some of Canada’s chief exports are timber electricity, and oil. Some of Canada’s chief exports are timber, electricity, and oil.
Insert a space* insert a space symbol The pop culturestereotypes of pirates are largely fictional. The pop culture stereotypes of pirates are largely fictional.
Insert a period* insert a period symbol Rare earth minerals are used in the motherboards of many electronic devices Rare earth minerals are used in the motherboards of many electronic devices.
Delete* delete symbol The International Space Station is is a communal effort by a number of countries. The International Space Station is a communal effort by a number of countries.
Begin a new paragraph* begin a paragraph symbol “Thank you for your time,” said the chairperson. “It was my pleasure,” said the board member. “Thank you for your time,” said the chairperson.
“It was my pleasure,” said the board member.
Capitalize* capitalize symbol El niño is a relatively recent climatic phenomenon. El Niño is a relatively recent climatic phenomenon.
Lower case* lower case symbol Monarch butterflies migrate South to Mexico each year. Monarch butterflies migrate south to Mexico each year.

*Note that these editing symbols do not appear in subsequent worksheets.

Exercise

Please access the Student Resources to practice these terms in a set of worksheets. For your reference, a copy of this chart has also been included in the Student Resources.

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