Common English Mistakes in User Manuals by German Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

To Bbegin the Iinstallation of the Ssoftware, please Iinsert the CD into the Ccomputer's Ddrive. The Ssetup Pprogram will automatically Sstart, and you will be Gguided through the Pprocess with clear Iinstructions on the Sscreen. If you encounter any Pproblem during the Iinstallation, please refer to the Ttroubleshooting Ssection of this Mmanual for further Aassistance.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"Only proper nouns should be capitalized. Capitals are not necessary for common nouns (non-specific people, places, things, or ideas)."

To begin the installation of the software, please insert the CD into the computer's drive. The setup program will automatically start, and you will be guided through the process with clear instructions on the screen. If you encounter any problem during the installation, please refer to the troubleshooting section of this manual for further assistance.

To Begin the Installation of the Software, please Insert the CD into the Computer's Drive. The Setup Program will automatically Start, and you will be Guided through the Process with clear Instructions on the Screen. If you encounter any Problem during the Installation, please refer to the Troubleshooting Section of this Manual for further Assistance.

Mistake Example #2

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

To operate the device, ensure that the power switchyou have turned onthe power switch before you connect the cables. When the indicator light is green, you can proceed to press the start button, which islocated on the front panelis. If the device does not function properly, check if all connections are madecorrectlyare made and refer to the troubleshooting section for further assistance.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few minor tweaks to put words in the correct order :) Nice work!"

To operate the device, ensure that you have turned on the power switch before you connect the cables. When the indicator light is green, you can proceed to press the start button, which is located on the front panel. If the device does not function properly, check if all connections are made correctly and refer to the troubleshooting section for further assistance.

To operate the device, ensure that the power switch you have turned on before you connect the cables. When the indicator light is green, you can proceed to press the start button, which located on the front panel is. If the device does not function properly, check if all connections correctly are made and refer to the troubleshooting section for further assistance.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of passive voice

To operate the device, pressthe power buttonis pressed, and the screen will be activated. Once the screen is on, accessthe settings menuis accessed by tapping the gear icon. TSelect the desired language is selectedfrom the list, andsave the changesare saved by pressing the cConfirm button.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few small changes were needed to make the writing less passive. Well done! "

To operate the device, press the power button, and the screen will be activated. Once the screen is on, access the settings menu by tapping the gear icon. Select the desired language from the list and save the changes by pressing the Confirm button.

To operate the device, the power button is pressed, and the screen will be activated. Once the screen is on, the settings menu is accessed by tapping the gear icon. The desired language is selected from the list, and the changes are saved by pressing the confirm button.