Template:Copy edit span/doc

Usage

The {{copy edit span}} template may be used when there is text that should be copyedited for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. Unlike the template {{copy edit inline}}, this template attaches explicitly to a portion of text, for example one or more specific sentences, by surrounding the text with the template. This is especially useful for flagging passages as needing copy editing, and for singling out a specific passage that is poorly-written among many well-written ones.

Once the passage is fixed, please remove this template from the surrounded text.

{{copy edit span|text=Passage(s) needing copy editing|reason=Reason for the needed copy editing|date=July 2026}}

The date and explain parameters are optional. The parameter names for |text= and |explain= can be omitted, as long as the text is in the first position, and the explanation is in the second. Therefore, the minimal syntax is:

{{copy edit span|Passage(s) needing copy editing}}

Parameters

There are three parameters to the template:

|text=

The text needing to be copyedited. This parameter is mandatory.

|reason=

Specifics explaining the copyediting that is needed. If omitted, "The text preceding this tag may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling." will be used. This text is shown as a tooltip.

(alias |explain=)

|date=July 2026

Adds month & year to the category, as well as helping identify how long ago the template was added. If omitted, a bot will eventually add it for you.

Categorization of articles

Adding this template to an article places the article into the hidden categories Category:All Wikipedia articles needing copy edit and Category:Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from July 2026.

See also

• {{Copy edit}} — detailed information on the usage of this and similar templates
• {{Copy edit section}}
• {{Copy edit inline}}
• {{Tone}}
• Wikipedia:Template index/Cleanup
• Wikipedia:WikiProject Guild of Copy Editors