Common English Mistakes in Instructional Guides by Arabic Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Arabic speakers from Saudi Arabia when writing a Instructional Guide in English.

Mistake Example #1

Misuse of verb tense (e.g., 'He go to school' instead of 'He goes to school')

To assemble the bookshelf, you first take the side panels and attach them to the base. Then, you place the shelves in the slots, making sure they fit snugly. After that, you screw the back panel to give stability. Finally, you stand the bookshelf upright and it is ready to use. If you need to move it, you lift carefully to avoid damage.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"This text is fine. There aren't any issues with the verb tense or anything else."

To assemble the bookshelf, you first take the side panels and attach them to the base. Then, you place the shelves in the slots, making sure they fit snugly. After that, you screw the back panel to give stability. Finally, you stand the bookshelf upright and it is ready to use. If you need to move it, you lift carefully to avoid damage.

To assemble the bookshelf, you first take the side panels and attach them to the base. Then, you place the shelves in the slots, making sure they fit snugly. After that, you screw the back panel to give stability. Finally, you stand the bookshelf upright and it is ready to use. If you need to move it, you lift carefully to avoid damage.

Mistake Example #2

Confusion between masculine and feminine pronouns

To assemble the bookshelf, first, you need to gather all the tools and parts. HeYou should start by laying out the pieces on a flat surface. Then, sheyou can use the screwdriver to attach the side panels to the base. After that, heyou must ensure that the shelves are aligned properly before securing them with screws. Finally, sheyou should check if the bookshelf is stable and makeadjustments if necessary.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed the pronouns to "you" and made some stylistic tweaks."

To assemble the bookshelf, first you need to gather all the tools and parts. You should start by laying out the pieces on a flat surface. Then, you can use the screwdriver to attach the side panels to the base. After that, you must ensure that the shelves are aligned properly before securing them with screws. Finally, you should check if the bookshelf is stable and make adjustments if necessary.

To assemble the bookshelf, first, you need to gather all the tools and parts. He should start by laying out the pieces on a flat surface. Then, she can use the screwdriver to attach the side panels to the base. After that, he must ensure that the shelves are aligned properly before securing them with screws. Finally, she should check if the bookshelf is stable and adjust if necessary.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of formal expressions ('I am honored to inform you...')

DearEsteemed Learner,Let's Itake am hlonoredk ato inform you of the steps rwequirneedto follow to successfully bake a cake. Firstly,it is with great pleasure that I advise you to gather all the necessary ingredients, including flour, sugar, and eggs, as this will ensure a smooth baking process. Furthermore, I am privileged to suggest that you pPreheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, which is a crucial step in achieving the perfect cake texture.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I made quite a few changes so the language sounds more natural and appropriate for this context."

Dear Learner, Let's take a look at the steps we need to follow to successfully bake a cake. First, gather all the necessary ingredients, including flour, sugar, and eggs, as this will ensure a smooth baking process. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, which is a crucial step in achieving the perfect cake texture.

Dear Esteemed Learner, I am honored to inform you of the steps required to successfully bake a cake. Firstly, it is with great pleasure that I advise you to gather all the necessary ingredients, including flour, sugar, and eggs, as this will ensure a smooth baking process. Furthermore, I am privileged to suggest that you preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, which is a crucial step in achieving the perfect cake texture.