Common English Mistakes in Meeting Minutess by Cantonese Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Cantonese speakers from Hong Kong when writing a Meeting Minutes in English.

Mistake Example #1

Overuse of direct translations from Cantonese

Meeting Minutes: Today we havWe discussedabout the project timeline and everyone agreed to move forward with the plan. We also talked about the budget, andit is decided that we willo add more resources to ensure everything goes smoothly. Please remember to follow up with the client bynext week to confirm the details.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to sound more native and natural."

Meeting Minutes: We discussed the project timeline and everyone agreed to move forward with the plan. We also talked about the budget and decided to add more resources to ensure everything goes smoothly. Please remember to follow up with the client next week to confirm the details.

Meeting Minutes: Today we have discussed about the project timeline and everyone agree to move forward with the plan. We also talk about the budget, and it is decided that we will add more resources to ensure everything go smoothly. Please remember to follow up with the client by next week to confirm the details.

Mistake Example #2

Confusion with countable vs. uncountable nouns ('She has much friends')

Meeting Minutes: On 15thOctober15, the team discussabouted the new marketing strategy. There wasere muchany suggestions from the members, and everyone agreed that more research is needed. The manager also mentioned that there wisll be many opportunities to expand our market in the coming year.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Overall your writing was very professional; it just needed a few tweaks to make things consistent. Good job!"

Meeting Minutes: On October 15, the team discussed the new marketing strategy. There were many suggestions from the members, and everyone agreed that more research is needed. The manager also mentioned that there will be many opportunities to expand our market in the coming year.

Meeting Minutes: On 15th October, the team discuss about the new marketing strategy. There was much suggestions from the members, and everyone agree that more research is needed. The manager also mention that there is many opportunities to expand our market in the coming year.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of 'very' to emphasize adjectives

Meeting Minutes: The meeting was very productive, and we had avery detailed discussion about the new project timeline. Everyone was veryenthusiastic about the ideas presented, and the team isvery committed to achieving the goals. The next meeting is scheduled for next Monday, and it is veryimportant that all members attend.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few minor tweaks to reduce the overuse of the word "very" :) Nice work!"

Meeting Minutes: The meeting was very productive, and we had a detailed discussion about the new project timeline. Everyone was enthusiastic about the ideas presented, and the team is committed to achieving the goals. The next meeting is scheduled for next Monday, and it is important that all members attend.

Meeting Minutes: The meeting was very productive, and we had a very detailed discussion about the new project timeline. Everyone was very enthusiastic about the ideas presented, and the team is very committed to achieving the goals. The next meeting is scheduled for next Monday, and it is very important that all members attend.