Proofreading and copy editing utilize stet marks to sign that text should not be changed or edited further.
Publishing professionals use stet, or the typesetting mark “*,” as an indicator that cancels out previous proofreader corrections or deletions and restores original text. It is commonly used in proofreading to indicate that no further changes should be made to the text.
“Stet” derives from Latin for “let it stand.” The first use of stet in this context dates back to 1585.
Publishing firms frequently utilize stet to undo any previous correction or deletion and restore the original text, typically during proofreading when an author or editor decides that no changes should be made.
Stet is also an abbreviation, meaning to cancel a previous correction or deletion. When used verbally, “stetting” changes means telling your typesetter not to make said change.
There are other uses for “stet” as well, however. It can indicate something should be overlooked (i.e., “stet the error”) or be used as an expression meaning to leave as is or keep as is (e.g., “stet the changes”).
Stet is a Latin word meaning “let it stand.” It indicates when any changes or corrections should be ignored when proofreading and typesetting documents.
A stet’s purpose is to save time and effort by allowing editors to forego making unnecessary or minor changes, thus saving both their actions and readers’. A stet is also used when an editor is uncertain whether a change should be made; its usage may save effort if an issue requires significant correction but would otherwise take too much work on their part to address.
Stet is invaluable because it enables authors to make edits without starting over while allowing readers to see the correction and decide whether they agree.
