Common English Mistakes in Contracts by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

This Agreement is made between Juan Perez, residing in Mexico City, and Maria Lopez, residing in Guadalajara, who harvebeen married witho each other since 2015. The parties agree to share all assets acquired during the marriage withn equal parts. Any disputes arising with this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the laws applicable into Mexico.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I made some corrections to the prepositions, plus a few other minor changes. Good work!"

This Agreement is made between Juan Perez, residing in Mexico City, and Maria Lopez, residing in Guadalajara, who have been married to each other since 2015. The parties agree to share all assets acquired during the marriage in equal parts. Any disputes arising with this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the laws applicable to Mexico.

This Agreement is made between Juan Perez, residing in Mexico City, and Maria Lopez, residing in Guadalajara, who are married with each other since 2015. The parties agree to share all assets acquired during the marriage with equal parts. Any disputes arising with this Agreement shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the laws applicable in Mexico.

Mistake Example #2

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

This contract is made between the parties on this dayof, October 15, 2023. The first party, who hais 30 yearsof age, agrees to provide the services described in the attached document. The second party, who hais 45 yearsof age, will compensate the first party withn the amount specified in the payment schedule. Both parties agree to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in this contract, and any disputes will be resolved according to the laws of Mexico.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

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

This contract is made between the parties on this day, October 15, 2023. The first party, who is 30 years of age, agrees to provide the services described in the attached document. The second party, who is 45 years of age, will compensate the first party in the amount specified in the payment schedule. Both parties agree to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in this contract, and any disputes will be resolved according to the laws of Mexico.

This contract is made between the parties on this day of October 15, 2023. The first party, who has 30 years, agrees to provide the services described in the attached document. The second party, who has 45 years, will compensate the first party with the amount specified in the payment schedule. Both parties agree to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in this contract, and any disputes will be resolved according to the laws of Mexico.

Mistake Example #3

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

This Agreement is made between the Company and the Contractor, where the Contractor is providing the services to the Company. The Contractor isagreeings that they areo working on the project every day until completion. The Company isexpecting thats the Contractor isto delivering the final report by the end of the month.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"Watch out for the proper use of tenses. "

This Agreement is made between the Company and the Contractor, where the Contractor is providing the services to the Company. The Contractor agrees to work on the project every day until completion. The Company expects the Contractor to deliver the final report by the end of the month.

This Agreement is made between the Company and the Contractor, where the Contractor is providing the services to the Company. The Contractor is agreeing that they are working on the project every day until completion. The Company is expecting that the Contractor is delivering the final report by the end of the month.