George Pruteanu studied literature at the University of Iași and the University of Bucharest. Starting in 1972, he wrote various columns for literary magazines such as "Convorbiri Literare", "Contemporanul", and "Cronica". After the 1989 Revolution, he continued his work as journalist for newspapers such as "Expres" and "Evenimentul Zilei". Between 1995 and 1999, he was also the host of a 5-minute daily TV programme on correct usage of the Romanian language ("Doar o vorbă săț-i mai spun", a title containing a deliberate, provocative mistake), which was broadcast first by Tele7ABC (1995), then ProTV (1995–1996), TVR1 (1997–1999), and again TVR1 (2006–2008).