Common English Mistakes by Arabic Speakers

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

Category:Fiction & Creative Writing
Writing for storytelling, entertainment, and artistic expression.
Common Users:Authors, Playwrights, Poets.
Mistake Example #1

Fiction & Creative Writing / Creative Nonfiction

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

I amwishonored to share with you the story of my first journey to the desert, where the sands stretch endlessly and the sun bestows its golden light upon the earth. Itis with grakeat pleasure that Iin recounting the moment when I first rode a camel, an experience that filled my heart with profoundjoy and gratitude. As I reflect upon this adventure, I amdeeply humbled by the beauty of nature and the hospitality of the people who welcomed me with open arms.


Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"This was already very well-written – I just made a few minor changes to make it sound a bit more natural :)"

I wish to share with you the story of my first journey to the desert, where the sands stretch endlessly and the sun bestows its golden light upon the earth. I take pleasure in recounting the moment when I first rode a camel, an experience that filled my heart with joy and gratitude. As I reflect on this adventure, I am humbled by the beauty of nature and the hospitality of the people who welcomed me with open arms.

I am honored to share with you the story of my first journey to the desert, where the sands stretch endlessly and the sun bestows its golden light upon the earth. It is with great pleasure that I recount the moment when I first rode a camel, an experience that filled my heart with profound joy and gratitude. As I reflect upon this adventure, I am deeply humbled by the beauty of nature and the hospitality of the people who welcomed me with open arms.

Mistake Example #2

Fiction & Creative Writing / Flash Fiction

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

In the heart of the desert, where the sands whisper secrets of old,I am honored to inform you that a young boy named Khalid embarked on a journey of great significance. ItHere iswith utmost respect that I convey to you the tale of his encounter with a mystical falcon, which, I am privileged to declare, bestowed upon him the wisdom of the ancients. Khalid, with profound gratitefude,lly accepted this noble gift, and thus, his destiny was forever altered under the vast Arabian sky.


Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very nice! I took out some of the overly formal expressions because they are not needed in a story like this one."

In the heart of the desert, where the sands whisper secrets of old, a young boy named Khalid embarked on a journey of great significance. Here is the tale of his encounter with a mystical falcon, which bestowed upon him the wisdom of the ancients. Khalid gratefully accepted this noble gift, and thus, his destiny was forever altered under the vast Arabian sky.

In the heart of the desert, where the sands whisper secrets of old, I am honored to inform you that a young boy named Khalid embarked on a journey of great significance. It is with utmost respect that I convey to you the tale of his encounter with a mystical falcon, which, I am privileged to declare, bestowed upon him the wisdom of the ancients. Khalid, with profound gratitude, accepted this noble gift, and thus, his destiny was forever altered under the vast Arabian sky.

Mistake Example #3

Fiction & Creative Writing / Novel

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

In the quiet village of Al-Ula, the sun set behind the ancient rocks, painting the sky with colors of fire. Layla siat on the old stone wall, her eyes following the path of the stars as they begian to appear. She remembered the stories her grandmotherused to tell her about the spirits that danced in the desert night. As the cool breeze whispered through the palm trees, she feel a sense of peace, knowing that tomorrow wioulld bring new adventures.


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

"I corrected some of the verb tenses. Overall, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

In the quiet village of Al-Ula, the sun set behind the ancient rocks, painting the sky with colors of fire. Layla sat on the old stone wall, her eyes following the path of the stars as they began to appear. She remembered the stories her grandmother used to tell her about the spirits that danced in the desert night. As the cool breeze whispered through the palm trees, she feel a sense of peace, knowing that tomorrow would bring new adventures.

In the quiet village of Al-Ula, the sun set behind the ancient rocks, painting the sky with colors of fire. Layla sit on the old stone wall, her eyes follow the path of the stars as they begin to appear. She remember the stories her grandmother tell her about the spirits that dance in the desert night. As the cool breeze whisper through the palm trees, she feel a sense of peace, knowing that tomorrow will bring new adventures.

Mistake Example #4

Fiction & Creative Writing / Personal Essay

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

I amwould honorliked to inform you that my journey to discover the beauty of the world has been aprofoundexperience. I am privileged to express that tThe vast deserts of Saudi Arabia have taught me the value of patience and resilience. Itis with grakeat pleasure that Iin shareing my admiration for the endless horizon, which fills my heart with a sense of peace and wonder.


Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few small changes were needed to reduce the use of formal expressions. Well done! "

I would like to inform you that my journey to discover the beauty of the world has been profound. The vast deserts of Saudi Arabia have taught me the value of patience and resilience. I take pleasure in sharing my admiration for the endless horizon, which fills my heart with a sense of peace and wonder.

I am honored to inform you that my journey to discover the beauty of the world has been a profound experience. I am privileged to express that the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia have taught me the value of patience and resilience. It is with great pleasure that I share my admiration for the endless horizon, which fills my heart with a sense of peace and wonder.

Mistake Example #5

Fiction & Creative Writing / Poem

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

In the garden of dreams,I am honored to inform you that the roses bloom with grace, their petals whispering secrets of the night. It is with great pleasure that I announce tThe moon's gentle embrace, castings its silver light upon the tranquil waters. I am delightedto convey that the stars, like diamonds, adorn the sky, guiding the wanderer's heart to the horizon's edge.


Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I took out some of the formal expressions that seem out of place in a poem."

In the garden of dreams, the roses bloom with grace, their petals whispering secrets of the night. The moon's gentle embrace casts its silver light upon the tranquil waters. I am delighted that the stars, like diamonds, adorn the sky, guiding the wanderer's heart to the horizon's edge.

In the garden of dreams, I am honored to inform you that the roses bloom with grace, their petals whispering secrets of the night. It is with great pleasure that I announce the moon's gentle embrace, casting its silver light upon the tranquil waters. I am delighted to convey that the stars, like diamonds, adorn the sky, guiding the wanderer's heart to the horizon's edge.

Mistake Example #6

Fiction & Creative Writing / Screenplay

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

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY AHMED, a young man in his twenties, stands nervously in front of his parents, MR. and MRS. ALI, who are seated on the couch. AHMED FatherMom, MotherDad, I wam honoredt to informlet youknow that Ihave decided to pursuefollow my dreams of becoming an actor. It’m is with great respect and utmost sincerity that I express mlly gratitefudel for your support, and Iit means am deeply privilegedot to have your blessincouragsement as I embstark ont this journey.


Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"Changes were made to reduce the number of formal expressions and make it sound more "conversational.""

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY AHMED, a young man in his twenties, stands nervously in front of his parents, MR. and MRS. ALI, who are seated on the couch. AHMED Mom, Dad, I want to let you know that I’ve decided to follow my dream of becoming an actor. I’m really grateful for your support, and it means a lot to have your encouragement as I start this journey.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY AHMED, a young man in his twenties, stands nervously in front of his parents, MR. and MRS. ALI, who are seated on the couch. AHMED Father, Mother, I am honored to inform you that I have decided to pursue my dreams of becoming an actor. It is with great respect and utmost sincerity that I express my gratitude for your support, and I am deeply privileged to have your blessings as I embark on this journey.

Mistake Example #7

Fiction & Creative Writing / Script Treatment

Confusion between masculine and feminine pronouns

In the bustling city of Riyadh, a young woman named Layla dreams of becoming a renowned filmmaker. She has always admired hiser father's storytelling skills, and she hopes to follow in his footsteps. One day, Layla receives an unexpected opportunity when her friend Ahmed tells her about a film competition. He encourages her to submit her script, believing in her talent more than she does herself.


Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Almost perfect :)"

In the bustling city of Riyadh, a young woman named Layla dreams of becoming a renowned filmmaker. She has always admired her father's storytelling skills, and she hopes to follow in his footsteps. One day, Layla receives an unexpected opportunity when her friend Ahmed tells her about a film competition. He encourages her to submit her script, believing in her talent more than she does herself.

In the bustling city of Riyadh, a young woman named Layla dreams of becoming a renowned filmmaker. She has always admired his father's storytelling skills, and she hopes to follow in his footsteps. One day, Layla receives an unexpected opportunity when her friend Ahmed tells her about a film competition. He encourages her to submit her script, believing in her talent more than she does herself.

Mistake Example #8

Fiction & Creative Writing / Short Story

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

In the heart of the desert,I am honored to inform you that a young boy named Ahmed embarked on a journey of great significance. He was, indeed, most pforiviltunateged to discover an ancient map, which, I must respectfully state, led him to a hidden oasis. IHe felt is with utmost sincerity that I convey to you the profound joyhe felt upon finding the treasure, a moment that, I assure you, will be remembered with great reverence.


Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I took out the formal expressions because the text sounds better and more natural without them."

In the heart of the desert, a young boy named Ahmed embarked on a journey of great significance. He was, indeed, most fortunate to discover an ancient map which led him to a hidden oasis. He felt a profound joy upon finding the treasure, a moment that will be remembered with great reverence.

In the heart of the desert, I am honored to inform you that a young boy named Ahmed embarked on a journey of great significance. He was, indeed, most privileged to discover an ancient map, which, I must respectfully state, led him to a hidden oasis. It is with utmost sincerity that I convey to you the profound joy he felt upon finding the treasure, a moment that, I assure you, will be remembered with great reverence.