Common English Mistakes in Instructional Guides by Italian Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Italian speakers from Italy when writing a Instructional Guide in English.

Mistake Example #1

Confusing singular and plural nouns

To assemble the bookshelf, you will need to follow these steps carefully. First, lay out all the pieces on the floor and make sure you have all the necessary tools. Then, take one of the side panel and attach it to the base using the screws provided. Repeat this process for the other side panel. Once both sides are secure, you can start to add the shelfves, making sure each shonelf is level before tightening theany screws.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very nice and clear! I just fixed some issues with singular vs. plural nouns and gave it a little polish."

To assemble the bookshelf, you will need to follow these steps carefully. First, lay out all the pieces on the floor and make sure you have all the necessary tools. Then, take one of the side panel and attach it to the base using the screws provided. Repeat this process for the other side panel. Once both sides are secure, you can start to add the shelves, making sure each one is level before tightening any screws.

To assemble the bookshelf, you will need to follow these step carefully. First, lay out all the piece on the floor and make sure you have all the necessary tool. Then, take one of the side panel and attach it to the base using the screw provided. Repeat this process for the other side panel. Once both side are secure, you can start to add the shelf, making sure each shelf is level before tightening the screw.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of passive voice

To bake the perfect Italian pizza, preparethe doughis prepared by mixing flour, water, yeast, and salt. After the dough is kneaded, itleave is left to rise for at least one hour. Once the dough has risen, it isrolledit out and add the toppingsare added. Then bake the pizzais then baked in a preheated oven at high temperature until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I just changed some (but not all) of the passive voice phrases to the active voice."

To bake the perfect Italian pizza, prepare the dough by mixing flour, water, yeast, and salt. After the dough is kneaded, leave it to rise for at least one hour. Once the dough has risen, roll it out and add the toppings. Then bake the pizza in a preheated oven at high temperature until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

To bake the perfect Italian pizza, the dough is prepared by mixing flour, water, yeast, and salt. After the dough is kneaded, it is left to rise for at least one hour. Once the dough has risen, it is rolled out and the toppings are added. The pizza is then baked in a preheated oven at high temperature until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Mistake Example #3

Using direct translations from Italian (e.g., 'We see us tomorrow' instead of 'See you tomorrow')

To make the perfect pasta, you must follow these steps with attclosentionly. First,you take the pot and fill it with water until it is almost full, then youput it on the fire. When the water boils, youadd the pasta and youmix it forsometimes. After the pasta is cooked, youdrain it andyou add the sauce of your choice. We'll see yous tomorrow for the next cooking lesson!

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

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

To make the perfect pasta, you must follow these steps closely. First, take the pot and fill it with water until it is almost full, then put it on the fire. When the water boils, add the pasta and mix it for some time. After the pasta is cooked, drain it and add the sauce of your choice. We'll see you tomorrow for the next cooking lesson!

To make the perfect pasta, you must follow these steps with attention. First, you take the pot and fill it with water until it is almost full, then you put it on the fire. When the water boils, you add the pasta and you mix it sometimes. After the pasta is cooked, you drain it and you add the sauce of your choice. We see us tomorrow for the next cooking lesson!