Common English Mistakes in Medical Reports by Slovak Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

PThe patient is amale 45-year-old malewitha medical historymedical of hypertension and diabetes. He presented to the clinic with a maincomplaintmain of chest pain and shortness of breath. The physicalexamination physicalrevealed an elevated heart rate elevatedandhigh blood pressurehigh. Further tests are necessary to determine causthe underlying causeofthese symptoms.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed the word order and added some articles."

The patient is a 45-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension and diabetes. He presented to the clinic with a main complaint of chest pain and shortness of breath. The physical examination revealed an elevated heart rate and high blood pressure. Further tests are necessary to determine the underlying cause of these symptoms.

Patient is a male 45-year-old with history medical of hypertension and diabetes. He presented to the clinic with complaint main of chest pain and shortness of breath. The examination physical revealed heart rate elevated and blood pressure high. Further tests are necessary to determine cause underlying of symptoms.

Mistake Example #2

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

PThe patient has been experiencing headaches and dizziness sincefor two weeks. I hamve been treating her with medication, but she is not improving as expected. She ihasbeen in our care since last month, and we are monitoring her condition closely.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I corrected some issues with the verb tense and made a few other small changes."

The patient has been experiencing headaches and dizziness for two weeks. I have been treating her with medication, but she is not improving as expected. She has been in our care since last month, and we are monitoring her condition closely.

Patient has been experiencing headaches and dizziness since two weeks. I am treating her with medication, but she is not improving as expected. She is in our care since last month, and we are monitoring her condition closely.

Mistake Example #3

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

PThe patient was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain. It is important to monitor vital signs closely and administer pain relief as needed. Blood test results show anelevated white blood cell count, indicating apossible infection.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I fixed some issues with the subject and added a few words to make it read more smoothly. Well done!"

The patient was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain. It is important to monitor vital signs closely and administer pain relief as needed. Blood test results show an elevated white blood cell count, indicating a possible infection.

Patient was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain. Is important to monitor vital signs closely and administer pain relief as needed. Blood test results show elevated white blood cell count, indicating possible infection.