Common English Mistakes in Government Memos by Slovak Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Slovak speakers from Slovakia when writing a Government Memo in English.

Mistake Example #1

Incorrect placement of adjectives ('The car red' instead of 'The red car')

To: Department Heads Subject: Implementation ofNew Policy New Dear Colleagues, I am writing to inform you about the newpolicynew that will be effective as ofrom next month. The teammanagementteam has reviewed the currentprocedurescurrent and decided to implement changesnecessarychanges for improvement. Please ensure that the updatedguidelinesupdated are communicated to theall staffall by the end of this week. Your cooperation in this matterimportantmatter is greatly appreciated.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for correct adjective placement."

To: Department Heads Subject: Implementation of New Policy New Dear Colleagues, I am writing to inform you about the new policy that will be effective as of next month. The management team has reviewed the current procedures and decided to implement necessary changes for improvement. Please ensure that the updated guidelines are communicated to all staff by the end of this week. Your cooperation in this important matter is greatly appreciated.

To: Department Heads Subject: Implementation of Policy New Dear Colleagues, I am writing to inform you about the policy new that will be effective from next month. The team management has reviewed the procedures current and decided to implement changes necessary for improvement. Please ensure that the guidelines updated are communicated to the staff all by the end of this week. Your cooperation in this matter important is greatly appreciated.

Mistake Example #2

Struggles with perfect tenses ('I am here since three years')

To: All Department Heads Subject: Annual Budget Review I hamve been working on the budget report since last month, and I hamve fiounding some discrepancies in the allocations. We areneeding to finalize the figures by the end of this week, so I am asking for your cooperation in providing the necessary data. I hamve been here sincefor two years, and I have seen improvements in our financial management, but we must continue to be diligent. Please ensure that all your department's expenses are accounted for accurately.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice job! I just fixed some issues with the verb tense."

To: All Department Heads Subject: Annual Budget Review I have been working on the budget report since last month, and I have found some discrepancies in the allocations. We need to finalize the figures by the end of this week, so I am asking for your cooperation in providing the necessary data. I have been here for two years, and I have seen improvements in our financial management, but we must continue to be diligent. Please ensure that all your department's expenses are accounted for accurately.

To: All Department Heads Subject: Annual Budget Review I am working on the budget report since last month, and I am finding some discrepancies in the allocations. We are needing to finalize the figures by the end of this week, so I am asking for your cooperation in providing the necessary data. I am here since two years, and I have seen improvements in our financial management, but we must continue to be diligent. Please ensure that all your department's expenses are accounted for accurately.

Mistake Example #3

Omitting 'it' as a subject in dummy subject sentences ('Is raining' instead of 'It is raining')

Subject: Update on Infrastructure Project Dear Team, It is important to note that construction on the new bridge will begin next month. HIt has been decided that allof the necessary permits are in place, and funding is secured. Please ensure that all departments are prepared for the upcoming changes and coordinate accordingly.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nicely done! I just added "it" in a few spots and made a couple of other minor changes."

Subject: Update on Infrastructure Project Dear Team, It is important to note that construction on the new bridge will begin next month. It has been decided that all of the necessary permits are in place, and funding is secured. Please ensure that all departments are prepared for the upcoming changes and coordinate accordingly.

Subject: Update on Infrastructure Project Dear Team, Is important to note that construction on the new bridge will begin next month. Has been decided that all necessary permits are in place, and funding is secured. Please ensure that all departments are prepared for the upcoming changes and coordinate accordingly.