Common English Mistakes in Official Statements by Cantonese Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

Overuse of 'very' to emphasize adjectives

The Hong Kong government is verypleased to announce the veryan important initiative aimed at improving public transportation. This verysignificant project willvery greatly enhance the efficiency and reliability of our transport system, making it vmorery convenient for all citizens. We arevery committed to ensuring that this development is completed in a verytimely manner to benefit the community.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work overall! I just took out some of the "verys"."

The Hong Kong government is pleased to announce an important initiative aimed at improving public transportation. This significant project will greatly enhance the efficiency and reliability of our transport system, making it more convenient for all citizens. We are committed to ensuring that this development is completed in a timely manner to benefit the community.

The Hong Kong government is very pleased to announce the very important initiative aimed at improving public transportation. This very significant project will very greatly enhance the efficiency and reliability of our transport system, making it very convenient for all citizens. We are very committed to ensuring that this development is completed in a very timely manner to benefit the community.

Mistake Example #2

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

In response to recent events, the Hong Kong government wishes to express muitschonsiderable gratitude to the citizens for their patience and support. There isare many challenges ahead, but witha collective effort, we can overcome them. The administration is committed to providing comucprehensive information and resources to ensure the well-being of all residents.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for countable vs. uncountable nouns, among other fixes."

In response to recent events, the Hong Kong government wishes to express its considerable gratitude to the citizens for their patience and support. There are many challenges ahead, but with a collective effort, we can overcome them. The administration is committed to providing comprehensive information and resources to ensure the well-being of all residents.

In response to recent events, the Hong Kong government wishes to express much gratitude to the citizens for their patience and support. There is many challenges ahead, but with collective effort, we can overcome them. The administration is committed to providing much information and resources to ensure the well-being of all residents.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of direct translations from Cantonese

In response to recent public concerns, the government is now making a statement to clarify the situation. We understand that thecitizens have many questions, and we will do our best to answer them all. The government is always putting the people inat the hceantert, and we hope everyone can understand our position.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Overall this was well-written; it just needed a few tweaks to make the English sound more natural."

In response to recent public concerns, the government is now making a statement to clarify the situation. We understand that the citizens have many questions, and we will do our best to answer them all. The government is always putting the people at the center, and we hope everyone can understand our position.

In response to recent public concerns, the government is now making a statement to clarify the situation. We understand citizens have many questions, and we will do our best to answer them all. The government is always putting the people in the heart, and we hope everyone can understand our position.