Common English Mistakes in Contracts by Cantonese Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

This Agreement is made between the Company and the Contractor on this day of October 15, 2023. The Contractor agrees to provide mucha variety of services to the Company, including but not limited to consulting and advisory roles. The Company shall provide sufficient equipment and support to ensure the Contractor can perform their duties with optimuchal efficiency.

Text corrected by:
Michele A., Boston, Massachusetts; United States

"I just replaced a word or two to make the English sound more natural. Overall, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

This Agreement is made between the Company and the Contractor on this day of October 15, 2023. The Contractor agrees to provide a variety of services to the Company, including but not limited to consulting and advisory roles. The Company shall provide sufficient equipment and support to ensure the Contractor can perform their duties with optimal efficiency.

This Agreement is made between the Company and the Contractor on this day of October 15, 2023. The Contractor agrees to provide much services to the Company, including but not limited to consulting and advisory roles. The Company shall provide sufficient equipment and support to ensure the Contractor can perform their duties with much efficiency.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of 'very' to emphasize adjectives

This Agreement is made on this very important daybetween thevery respected Company A and the veryesteemed Company Bis made on this important day. The parties agree tovery clearly outline the terms and conditions of their verysignificant partnership. It is verynecessary thatfor both partiesto comply with thevery detailed obligations set forth in this verycomprehensive contract.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"This text was well-written, but I removed the unnecessary repetition of the word "very." :)"

This Agreement between the respected Company A and the esteemed Company B is made on this important day. The parties agree to clearly outline the terms and conditions of their significant partnership. It is necessary for both parties to comply with the detailed obligations set forth in this comprehensive contract.

This Agreement is made on this very important day between the very respected Company A and the very esteemed Company B. The parties agree to very clearly outline the terms and conditions of their very significant partnership. It is very necessary that both parties comply with the very detailed obligations set forth in this very comprehensive contract.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of direct translations from Cantonese

This Agreement is to confirm that Party A will rent the flat to Party B for aperiod of one year. If Party B wants to terminate the lease early, must givenoticemust be given to Party A at least two months before. Both parties agree to follow the rules and regulations as stated in this Agreement, and any changes must be discussed face-to-face.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

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

This Agreement is to confirm that Party A will rent the flat to Party B for a period of one year. If Party B wants to terminate the lease early, notice must be given to Party A at least two months before. Both parties agree to follow the rules and regulations as stated in this Agreement, and any changes must be discussed face-to-face.

This Agreement is to confirm that Party A will rent the flat to Party B for period of one year. If Party B wants to terminate the lease early, must give notice to Party A at least two months before. Both parties agree to follow the rules and regulations as stated in this Agreement, and any changes must be discussed face-to-face.