Common English Mistakes in Patient Information Leaflets by Slovak Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Slovak speakers from Slovakia when writing a Patient Information Leaflet in English.

Mistake Example #1

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

Please read leaflet carefully before useing medicine. The whitetabletwhite should be taken with a full glass ofwaterfull, and it is important tonotto exceed dosthe recommendeddose. If you experience unusualside effectsunusual, contact yourdoctor your immediately.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for proper adjective placement, and other changes."

Please read leaflet carefully before using medicine. The white tablet should be taken with a full glass of water, and it is important not to exceed the recommended dose. If you experience unusual side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Please read leaflet carefully before use medicine. The tablet white should be taken with water full, and it is important to not exceed dose recommended. If you experience side effects unusual, contact doctor your immediately.

Mistake Example #2

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

Ifyou experience any side effects from themedication,it is important to contact thedoctor immediately. It is recommended to takethis medicine with food to avoidan stomach upset. Always store it ina cool, dry place away from children.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I added a subject to some of the sentences and made some additional corrections. Nice work!"

If you experience any side effects from the medication, it is important to contact the doctor immediately. It is recommended to take this medicine with food to avoid an stomach upset. Always store it in a cool, dry place away from children.

If experience any side effects from medication, important to contact doctor immediately. Is recommended to take medicine with food to avoid stomach upset. Always store in cool, dry place away from children.

Mistake Example #3

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

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start taking the medication. I hamve been using this medicine sincefor two weeks and I have noticed improvement in my symptoms. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor who ishad knowing your medical history sincefor a long time.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

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

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start taking the medication. I have been using this medicine for two weeks and I have noticed improvement in my symptoms. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor who had known your medical history for a long time.

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start taking the medication. I am using this medicine since two weeks and I have noticed improvement in my symptoms. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor who is knowing your medical history since long time.