Common English Mistakes in Public Notices by Italian Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

Overuse of passive voice

NoticWeis hereby givenotice that the park will be closed for maintenance on Saturday. It is requested that aAll visitors armust be informed of this closure in advance. The necessary repairs are being conmaducted to ensure safety and improvements are made for the enjoyment of all. Your cooperation is appreciated, and we regretany inconvenience causedis regretted.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Changes I made were mostly to make the writing more active and less passive. Nicely done :) "

We hereby give notice that the park will be closed for maintenance on Saturday. All visitors must be informed of this closure in advance. The necessary repairs are being made to ensure safety and improvements are made for the enjoyment of all. Your cooperation is appreciated, and we regret any inconvenience caused.

Notice is hereby given that the park will be closed for maintenance on Saturday. It is requested that all visitors are informed of this closure in advance. The necessary repairs are being conducted to ensure safety and improvements are made for the enjoyment of all. Your cooperation is appreciated, and any inconvenience caused is regretted.

Mistake Example #2

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

Attention all residents, wehereby inform you that the park will be closed for maintenance worksfrom Monday to Fridayof next week. We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for your understanding. For more information, you can contact the office of the municipality. We willsee yous soon inat the park when it is open again.!

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work! I just changed/added a few words to make the English sound more natural."

Attention all residents, we hereby inform you that the park will be closed for maintenance from Monday to Friday of next week. We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for your understanding. For more information, you can contact the office of the municipality. We will see you at the park when it is open again!

Attention all residents, we inform you that the park will be closed for maintenance works from Monday to Friday next week. We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for your understanding. For more information, you can contact the office of the municipality. We see us soon in the park when it is open again.

Mistake Example #3

Confusing singular and plural nouns

**Public Notice** The city council announced thatthe new park will be open to public on next Saturday. All citizen are invited to join the celebration event, which will include music performance and food stall. We hope that many familyies will come to enjoy the day with us.

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

"I corrected "family" to "families" and made a couple of other small corrections. Overall, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

**Public Notice** The city council announced that the new park will be open to public on next Saturday. All citizen are invited to join the celebration event, which will include music performance and food stall. We hope that many families will come to enjoy the day with us.

**Public Notice** The city council announce that new park will be open to public on next Saturday. All citizen are invited to join the celebration event, which will include music performance and food stall. We hope that many family will come to enjoy the day with us.