Common English Mistakes in Memo by German Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native German speakers from Germany when writing a Memos in English.

Mistake Example #1

Overuse of passive voice

Subject: Update on Project Timeline ITheteam hasbeen decided thao extend the project deadline will be extendedby two weeks. TManagement has allocated the necessary resources have been allocatedto ensure that aimelly tasks are completediontime. ItPlease isnforequested thatm all team membersare informed about the changes. ThWewill monitor progress will be monitoredclosely, andprovide regular updateswill be provided regularly.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to reduce the use of passive voice."

Subject: Update on Project Timeline The team has decided to extend the project deadline by two weeks. Management has allocated the necessary resources to ensure timely task completion. Please inform all team members about the changes. We will monitor progress closely and provide regular updates.

Subject: Update on Project Timeline It has been decided that the project deadline will be extended by two weeks. The necessary resources have been allocated to ensure that all tasks are completed on time. It is requested that all team members are informed about the changes. The progress will be monitored closely, and updates will be provided regularly.

Mistake Example #2

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

To: All Employees Subject: Update on Project Timeline Dear Team, I want to inform you about the Cchanges in the Pproject Ttimeline. The Mmeeting scheduled for next Wweek will now take place on Thursday instead of Wednesday. Please ensure thatall necessary Ddocuments are prepared in advance. Thank you for your Uunderstanding and Ccooperation.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to correct capitalization errors."

To: All Employees Subject: Update on Project Timeline Dear Team, I want to inform you about the changes in the project timeline. The meeting scheduled for next week will now take place on Thursday instead of Wednesday. Please ensure all necessary documents are prepared in advance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

To: All Employees Subject: Update on Project Timeline Dear Team, I want to inform you about the Changes in the Project Timeline. The Meeting scheduled for next Week will now take place on Thursday instead of Wednesday. Please ensure that all necessary Documents are prepared in advance. Thank you for your Understanding and Cooperation.

Mistake Example #3

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

Subject: Update on Project Timeline Dear Team, I wanted to inform you that the meeting, which we discussed last week, is postponed. Becausethe client feedback we have not yet receivedthe client feedback, we need to adjust our schedule. Please ensure that all team members are aware of the changes, so that we can avoidany confusionwe can avoid. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some fixing to correct word order problems, and other tweaks."

Subject: Update on Project Timeline Dear Team, I wanted to inform you that the meeting which we discussed last week is postponed. Because we have not yet received the client feedback, we need to adjust our schedule. Please ensure that all team members are aware of the changes, so that we can avoid any confusion. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Subject: Update on Project Timeline Dear Team, I wanted to inform you that the meeting, which we discussed last week, is postponed. Because the client feedback we have not yet received, we need to adjust our schedule. Please ensure that all team members are aware of the changes, so that any confusion we can avoid. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.