Common English Mistakes in Will & Testaments by Italian Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Italian speakers from Italy when writing a Will & Testament in English.

Mistake Example #1

Confusing singular and plural nouns

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I leave my beloved daughter, Maria, the house and the car, and to my son, Luca, I bequeath the book collection and the painting. It is my wish that my family continue to cherish these memories and keep them in their hearts.

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

""Hearts" (plural) is correct when more than one person is referenced, even though "family" is a singular noun."

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I leave my beloved daughter, Maria, the house and the car, and to my son, Luca, I bequeath the book collection and the painting. It is my wish that my family continue to cherish these memories and keep them in their hearts.

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I leave my beloved daughter, Maria, the house and the car, and to my son, Luca, I bequeath the book collection and the painting. It is my wish that my family continue to cherish these memories and keep them in their heart.

Mistake Example #2

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

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I leave to my daughter, Maria, the house in which we live ustogether,. and tTo my son, Luca, I give himthe car that he lovesso much. It is my wish that my family remains united and that they remember me with joy and not with sadness.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very good! I made some changes so the English would be correct and natural."

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I leave to my daughter, Maria, the house in which we live together. To my son, Luca, I give the car that he loves so much. It is my wish that my family remain united and that they remember me with joy and not with sadness.

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I leave to my daughter, Maria, the house in which we live us together, and to my son, Luca, I give him the car that he loves much. It is my wish that my family remains united and that they remember me with joy and not with sadness.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of passive voice

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. It is requested thae executor to distribute all my possessionsare distributed according to the wishes expressed herein. MI leave the house in Florence to my beloved wife, Maria, is to be given the house in Florence,and myI son, Luclea, is to bveprovided with the family businessto my son, Luca. It is egransured that my daughter, Sofia,is granted the sum of fifty thousand euros. The executor isapphointeuldto carry out these instructions faithfully.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"Try not to use passive voice too much. "

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I request the executor to distribute all my possessions according to the wishes expressed herein. I leave the house in Florence to my beloved wife, Maria, and I leave the family business to my son, Luca. I grant my daughter, Sofia, the sum of fifty thousand euros. The executor should carry out these instructions faithfully.

I, Giovanni Rossi, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. It is requested that all my possessions are distributed according to the wishes expressed herein. My beloved wife, Maria, is to be given the house in Florence, and my son, Luca, is to be provided with the family business. It is ensured that my daughter, Sofia, is granted the sum of fifty thousand euros. The executor is appointed to carry out these instructions faithfully.