Common English Mistakes in Court Documents by Slovak Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

To the Honorable Judge, I am writing to inform youthat I hamve livinged in this country since I wasfive years old,and I hamve been working atfor the same company since 2018. I am requesting that the courtto consider my situation, as I hamve been contributing to the community sincefor a long timeand. I am hoping for a favorable decision regarding my residency status.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"I have corrected the tenses to distinguish between the present tense and the present-perfect tense."

To the Honorable Judge, I am writing to inform you that I have lived in this country since I was five years old, and I have been working for the same company since 2018. I am requesting that the court consider my situation, as I have been contributing to the community for a long time. I am hoping for a favorable decision regarding my residency status.

To the Honorable Judge, I am writing to inform that I am living in this country since five years and I am working at the company since 2018. I am requesting the court to consider my situation as I am contributing to the community since long time and I am hoping for a favorable decision regarding my residency status.

Mistake Example #2

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

In the matter of the case before the court,it is important to note that defendant was not present at the scene of the alleged crime. Evidence presented by the prosecution lacks substantial proof, and it is clear that further investigation is necessary to establish the facts.

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

"I added the word "it" to complete the dummy subject. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

In the matter of the case before the court, it is important to note that defendant was not present at the scene of the alleged crime. Evidence presented by the prosecution lacks substantial proof, and it is clear that further investigation is necessary to establish the facts.

In the matter of the case before the court, is important to note that defendant was not present at the scene of the alleged crime. Evidence presented by the prosecution lacks substantial proof, and is clear that further investigation is necessary to establish the facts.

Mistake Example #3

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

In the court case regarding the property dispute, the bluehouse blue was mistakenly listed as belonging to the defendant. The witness statement clearly indicates that the redcarred was parked in the driveway on the night of the incident. It is crucial for the court to consider these details when making the finaldecisionfinal.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"A couple of words were in the wrong place, so I moved them. Good job overall!"

In the court case regarding the property dispute, the blue house was mistakenly listed as belonging to the defendant. The witness statement clearly indicates that the red car was parked in the driveway on the night of the incident. It is crucial for the court to consider these details when making the final decision.

In the court case regarding the property dispute, the house blue was mistakenly listed as belonging to the defendant. The witness statement clearly indicates that the car red was parked in the driveway on the night of the incident. It is crucial for the court to consider these details when making the decision final.