Common English Mistakes in Public Notices by Slovak Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

Notice to Residents: The community center is closed for renovationworks. We harve worbeen makingon improvements sincefor two months and expect to finish by theend of November. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some corrections for proper perfect tense usage."

Notice to Residents: The community center is closed for renovation. We have been making improvements for two months and expect to finish by the end of November. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

Notice to Residents: The community center is closed for renovation works. We are working on improvements since two months and expect to finish by end of November. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

Mistake Example #2

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

Attention: Residents, the park community will host aevent special on Saturday. The funactivitiesfun will start at 10 AM and continue until late in theafternoonlate. Please bring theyour young childrenyoung and enjoy the gamesexciting gamesand food deliciousfood. We hope to see enthusiasticparticipation enthusiasticfrom allmembers communitymembers.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Changes I made were mostly to improve fluidity and readability. Nicely done :)"

Attention: Residents, the park community will host a event special on Saturday. The fun activities will start at 10 AM and continue until late in the afternoon. Please bring your young children and enjoy the exciting games and delicious food. We hope to see enthusiastic participation from all community members.

Attention Residents, the park community will host event special on Saturday. The activities fun will start at 10 AM and continue until afternoon late. Please bring the children young and enjoy the games exciting and food delicious. We hope to see participation enthusiastic from all members community.

Mistake Example #3

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

Attention Residents: IPlease impnortant to informe that road construction will begin on Monday, 15thNovember15th. Expect delays in traffic during morning and evening hours. It is advised to plan alternative routes to avoid inconvenience. Thank you for yourunderstanding and cooperation.

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

"I added a subject to some of the sentences and made some changes to improve fluidity."

Attention Residents: Please note that road construction will begin on Monday, November 15th. Expect delays in traffic during morning and evening hours. It is advised to plan alternative routes to avoid inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Attention Residents: Is important to inform that road construction will begin on Monday, 15th November. Expect delays in traffic during morning and evening hours. Is advised to plan alternative routes to avoid inconvenience. Thank you for understanding and cooperation.