Researchers put a lot of effort into their manuscripts, yet many are rejected for publication due to language and presentation errors. Understanding the difference between language editing and proofreading helps researchers choose the right service for their paper. It also helps to prepare them for how their manuscript will change after revisions.

MDPI’s Author Services provides professional English Language editing for researchers submitting to academic journals. Manuscripts are handled by PhD-level subject specialists and experienced language experts. There are also options for different turnaround times and levels of depth in the editorial process.

In this article, we explain where language editing and proofreading sit within the publishing lifecycle and what they involve in practice. We also address how MDPI’s Author Services underpin this process and help researchers choose the right level of support available.

The editorial process in action

The editorial process is the set of steps that turn a manuscript into a publication-ready article. It typically includes author revisions, language and structural editing, formatting and layout, proofreading, and final approval. Although people might refer to language editing and proofreading interchangeably, each stage has a distinct purpose.

What is language editing?

Language editing targets the structure, focus, and clarity of the paper. It helps to communicate the research in a more readable format. For academic papers, revisions usually include:

Grammar and syntax: Correcting errors in tense, word order, and sentence structure.

Clarity and readability: Rephrasing awkward or ambiguous sentences, reducing redundancy, and improving coherence between sentences and paragraphs.

Consistency and terminology: Ensuring consistent use of technical terms, abbreviations, and style choices throughout the manuscript.

Tone and academic style: Aligning the manuscript with formal academic conventions, including appropriate register and objective phrasing.

Some higher-level language editing services may also comment on structure, argument flow, and the placement of key information, especially in sections such as the abstract, introduction, and conclusion. MDPI’s English language editing services are designed to deliver this kind of in-depth language improvement, with options for faster turnaround and additional features such as structural review and technical feedback.

What is proofreading?

Proofreading is the final quality-control step before publication. It assumes that the text has already been edited for clarity and structure and focuses instead on surface-level revisions. Typical proofreading tasks include:

Spelling and typographical errors: Correcting misspellings, repeated words, and keyboard slips.

Punctuation and spacing: Fixing misplaced commas, inconsistent quotation marks, and spacing issues.

Minor formatting issues: Checking headings, numbering, and basic consistency in references and citations.

Consistency checks: Ensuring that capitalisation, hyphenation, and simple style choices are applied uniformly.

Proofreading does not usually involve rewriting sentences, reorganising paragraphs, or reworking arguments. However, it still requires specialised knowledge and experience to be effective. If a manuscript still has major clarity or language issues, it is important that the proofreader can recognise this and send it back for further editing.

Making the distinction when choosing services

When choosing the level of support your manuscript needs, it is useful to ask yourself these questions:

• Is your manuscript already clear and well-structured in English? If yes, and you mainly worry about small errors, proofreading may be sufficient.
• Do reviewers or colleagues comment on the clarity, awkward phrasing, or readability of your paper? If so, your manuscript will likely need editing, not just proofreading.
• Are you writing in English as a second language? In that case, professional English language editing could significantly improve clarity, reduce misunderstandings, and increase the chances of a smooth peer review process.

Being explicit about your expectations, whether that is deep language improvement or a final check for minor errors, will help ensure that the service you choose aligns with your publishing goals.

MDPI’s English language editing

MDPI provides various levels of English language editing depending on your needs. Authors who only need a final surface check should be aware that editing services will typically involve more intervention than traditional proofreading. There are currently three tiers of English language editing available, these include:

Standard: Focuses on clear, consistent, grammatically correct English, with an editing certificate and a typical turnaround time of up to seven days.

Rapid: Has all the features of Standard, but with much faster turnaround times (often around 10 hours on average), free re-editing for one year, free cover letter and reviewer response editing included, and priority handling.

Academic: Includes all Rapid features plus multiple rounds of editing, PhD specialist editors, and additional review of structure and terminology, along with a technical review report.

If you need more help choosing the right service, please contact authorservices@mdpi.com for more information.

Strengthening scholarly publishing

MDPI offers professional, certified language editing carried out by specialist English language and subject matter experts. With a satisfaction guarantee and options for re‑editing, MDPI supports authors in meeting their publishing goals.

Flexible turnaround times and multiple service tiers accommodate a range of deadlines and editorial needs. Selecting the right level of editing helps authors enhance readability, strengthen the overall quality of their manuscripts, and reduce the likelihood of language‑related rejection.

Get a FREE quote for English language editing from MDPI’s Author Services website.