Common English Mistakes in Grant Proposals by Arabic Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

Confusion between masculine and feminine pronouns

Our research team is seeking funding to develop a new solar panel technology that will significantly increase energy efficiency. HeIt will focus on the unique environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia, ensuring that shwe can withstand high temperatures and sandstorms. The project aims to collaborate with local universities and industries, and we believe his contribution will be invaluable to the country's renewable energy goals.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed the masculine and feminine pronouns to "it" and "we" to fit the context."

Our research team is seeking funding to develop a new solar panel technology that will significantly increase energy efficiency. It will focus on the unique environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia, ensuring that we can withstand high temperatures and sandstorms. The project aims to collaborate with local universities and industries, and we believe his contribution will be invaluable to the country's renewable energy goals.

Our research team is seeking funding to develop a new solar panel technology that will significantly increase energy efficiency. He will focus on the unique environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia, ensuring that she can withstand high temperatures and sandstorms. The project aims to collaborate with local universities and industries, and we believe his contribution will be invaluable to the country's renewable energy goals.

Mistake Example #2

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

I am honorpleased to inform you that our esteemed research team at King Saud University is seeking your esteemedsupport for our groundbreaking project on renewable energy solutions. We are deeply prxcivilegted to present this proposal, which aims to revolutionize the energy sector in Saudi Arabia, and we arehumbly requesting youresteemed consideration for funding. IRestis with great honor that we assured, youwe of ouarutmoste dedicationed to achieving remarkable outcomes that will benefit both the scientific community and society at large.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

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

I am pleased to inform you that our esteemed research team at King Saud University is seeking your support for our groundbreaking project on renewable energy solutions. We are excited to present this proposal, which aims to revolutionize the energy sector in Saudi Arabia, and we humbly request your consideration for funding. Rest assured, we are dedicated to achieving remarkable outcomes that will benefit both the scientific community and society at large.

I am honored to inform you that our esteemed research team at King Saud University is seeking your esteemed support for our groundbreaking project on renewable energy solutions. We are deeply privileged to present this proposal, which aims to revolutionize the energy sector in Saudi Arabia, and we are humbly requesting your esteemed consideration for funding. It is with great honor that we assure you of our utmost dedication to achieving remarkable outcomes that will benefit both the scientific community and society at large.

Mistake Example #3

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

Our research team isproposeing a project that will develop a new solar panel technology to increase energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia. The project aims to reduce the cost of solar energy production by 20% over the next five years. We believe that this innovation will contribute significantly to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, and we are seeking funding to begin the initial phase of the research.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very good! It just needed a few changes to the verb tense."

Our research team is proposing a project that will develop a new solar panel technology to increase energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia. The project aims to reduce the cost of solar energy production by 20% over the next five years. We believe that this innovation will contribute significantly to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, and we are seeking funding to begin the initial phase of the research.

Our research team propose a project that will develop a new solar panel technology to increase energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia. The project aim to reduce the cost of solar energy production by 20% over the next five years. We believe that this innovation will contribute significantly to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, and we are seeking funding to begin the initial phase of the research.