Stets

Stet is a proofreading mark and instruction that tells a proofreader or printer to disregard a preceding change and let the text stand as it was originally written. In practice, it cancels a deletion, alteration, or correction that has been marked on a manuscript or proof, restoring the prior wording.

The term comes from Latin, meaning “let it stand.” It has a long history in manuscript culture and early printing, where editors used marginal notes to guide typesetters and authors through revisions. The mark is typically written in the margin or above the line where the change was proposed, and may accompany a line or arrow pointing to the affected text. The directive is fulfilled by keeping the original text in place, effectively reversing the prior change.

Usage and etiquette vary by tradition, but common practice is to place the word stet near the line or passage to be retained. If multiple instances require restoration, the instruction may be repeated as needed. It is often paired with other marks such as dele (delete) or insert, to clarify what should be retained or removed elsewhere in the same passage.

In modern digital editing, the exact mark stet is less common, since edits are tracked and reversible by software. However, the concept persists in editing guides and style sheets: editors may still instruct authors and designers to “stet” a change to preserve the original wording or formatting, especially in proofs or authoritative texts.