Common English Mistakes in Will & Testaments by Arabic Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

Confusion between masculine and feminine pronouns

I, Ahmed Al-Faisal, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint my brother, Fatima Al-Faisal, as the executor of my estate. He shall distribute my assets according to my wishes, ensuring that she carries out all duties with fairness and integrity.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This just needed one change to correct the pronoun "she." Otherwise, it has no errors."

I, Ahmed Al-Faisal, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint my brother, Fatima Al-Faisal, as the executor of my estate. He shall distribute my assets according to my wishes, ensuring that he carries out all duties with fairness and integrity.

I, Ahmed Al-Faisal, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint my brother, Fatima Al-Faisal, as the executor of my estate. He shall distribute my assets according to my wishes, ensuring that she carries out all duties with fairness and integrity.

Mistake Example #2

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

I am honored to inform you thatI, Khalid bin Ahmed, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. It is with great respect and utmost sincerity that I wish to convey my desire to bequeath all my worldly possessions to my beloved family members, whom I hold in the highest regard. I am privileged to state that mMy executor shall be myesteemed brother, Faisal bin Ahmed, whom I trust will carry out my wishes with the greatest honor and integrity.

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

"I changed some of the sentences to make the language more straightforward. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

I, Khalid bin Ahmed, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I wish to convey my desire to bequeath all my worldly possessions to my beloved family members. My executor shall be my brother, Faisal bin Ahmed, whom I trust will carry out my wishes with the greatest honor and integrity.

I am honored to inform you that I, Khalid bin Ahmed, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. It is with great respect and utmost sincerity that I wish to convey my desire to bequeath all my worldly possessions to my beloved family members, whom I hold in the highest regard. I am privileged to state that my executor shall be my esteemed brother, Faisal bin Ahmed, who I trust will carry out my wishes with the greatest honor and integrity.

Mistake Example #3

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

I, Ahmed Al-Faisal, being of sound mind and body, hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint my son, Omar, to be the executor of my estate. I wish thatfor my property in Riyadh isto be distributed among my children equally. It is my desire that my daughter, Layla, receives my collection of books, which she hascherished since childhood. I also request that my savings account is used for the education of my grandchildren.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"There are some errors such as the following: "I wish that my property in Riyadh is distribute" which should be "I wish for my property in Riyadh to be distributed" and "she cherish since childhood" which would be better as "she has cherished since childhood"."

I, Ahmed Al-Faisal, being of sound mind and body, hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint my son, Omar, to be the executor of my estate. I wish for my property in Riyadh to be distributed among my children equally. It is my desire that my daughter, Layla, receives my collection of books, which she has cherished since childhood. I also request that my savings account is used for the education of my grandchildren.

I, Ahmed Al-Faisal, being of sound mind and body, hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint my son, Omar, to be the executor of my estate. I wish that my property in Riyadh is distribute among my children equally. It is my desire that my daughter, Layla, receive my collection of books, which she cherish since childhood. I also request that my savings account is use for the education of my grandchildren.