Common English Mistakes in Prescription Guides by Spanish Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Spanish speakers from Mexico when writing a Prescription Guide in English.

Mistake Example #1

Misuse of prepositions ('Married with' instead of 'Married to')

For the treatment of your condition, take one tablet of the medication with water every morning before breakfast. It is important to follow the instructions with care to ensure the best results. If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Everything looks fine, including the prepositions."

For the treatment of your condition, take one tablet of the medication with water every morning before breakfast. It is important to follow the instructions with care to ensure the best results. If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

For the treatment of your condition, take one tablet of the medication with water every morning before breakfast. It is important to follow the instructions with care to ensure the best results. If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of present continuous ('I am going to the school every day' instead of 'I go to school every day')

When you aretakinge this medication, you arewill feeling better afterin a few days, but it is important that you are completinge the full course to avoid anycomplications. You are visiting the doctor iIf youare experiencinge any side effects, andsee your adoctore. Do not stoppusing the medication without consulting fiyoursdoctor.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaks to reduce use of the present continuous tense, among other fixes."

When you take this medication, you will feel better in a few days, but it is important to complete the full course to avoid complications. If you experience any side effects, see your doctor. Do not stop using the medication without consulting your doctor.

When you are taking this medication, you are feeling better after a few days, but it is important that you are completing the full course to avoid any complications. You are visiting the doctor if you are experiencing any side effects, and you are not stopping the medication without consulting first.

Mistake Example #3

Direct translation of Spanish expressions ('I have 25 years' instead of 'I am 25 years old')

For the treatment of your condition, it is important that you take the medicine every day at the same hour. You should avoid toeating grapefruit because it can interactfere with the medication. If you have any questions or feel any side effects, please contactwith your doctor immediately.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"This is mostly well-written. However, be mindful of errors such as the following: "You should avoid to eat grapefruit" which should be "You should avoid eating grapefruit" and "because it can interact with the medication" which should be "because it can interfere with the medication"."

For the treatment of your condition, it is important that you take the medicine every day at the same hour. You should avoid eating grapefruit because it can interfere with the medication. If you have any questions or feel any side effects, please contact your doctor immediately.

For the treatment of your condition, it is important that you take the medicine every day at the same hour. You should avoid to eat grapefruit because it can interact with the medication. If you have any question or feel any side effect, please contact with your doctor immediately.