Common English Mistakes in Will & Testaments by Slovak Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Slovak speakers from Slovakia when writing a Will & Testament in English.

Mistake Example #1

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

This is the last will and testament of me, Jozef Novak, residing in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is my wish that all my propertybe bequeathed to my daughter, Anna Novak. Also important to mention, is my desire that my brother, Peter Novak, beappointed as executor of this will.

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

"It is my wish <-- Don't forget that the subject "it" must be specified."

This is the last will and testament of me, Jozef Novak, residing in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is my wish that all my property be bequeathed to my daughter, Anna Novak. Also important to mention is my desire that my brother, Peter Novak, be appointed as executor of this will.

This is the last will and testament of me, Jozef Novak, residing in Bratislava, Slovakia. Is my wish that all my property bequeathed to my daughter, Anna Novak. Also important to mention, is my desire that my brother, Peter Novak, appointed as executor of this will.

Mistake Example #2

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

I, Jozef Novak, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I bequeath to my daughter, Maria Novak, the housefamilyhouse located at 123 Main Street, Bratislava. To my son, Peter Novak, I leave the redcarred and thestamp collectionstamp that he has always cherished. I appoint my brother, Tomas Novak, as the soleexecutorsole of this will, trusting him to carry out my wishes faithfully.

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

"I rearranged the word order in some of the phrases. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

I, Jozef Novak, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I bequeath to my daughter, Maria Novak, the family house located at 123 Main Street, Bratislava. To my son, Peter Novak, I leave the red car and the stamp collection that he has always cherished. I appoint my brother, Tomas Novak, as the sole executor of this will, trusting him to carry out my wishes faithfully.

I, Jozef Novak, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I bequeath to my daughter, Maria Novak, the house family located at 123 Main Street, Bratislava. To my son, Peter Novak, I leave the car red and the collection stamp that he has always cherished. I appoint my brother, Tomas Novak, as the executor sole of this will, trusting him to carry out my wishes faithfully.

Mistake Example #3

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

I, Jozef Novak, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I hamve been living in Bratislava sincefor five years, and I have decided to leave my entire estate to my beloved daughter, Anna Novak. She ihasbeen taking care of me since I have been ill, and I want to ensure she is provided for in the future.

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

"I just replaced a word or two to make the English sound more natural. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

I, Jozef Novak, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I have been living in Bratislava for five years, and I have decided to leave my entire estate to my beloved daughter, Anna Novak. She has been taking care of me since I have been ill, and I want to ensure she is provided for in the future.

I, Jozef Novak, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I am living in Bratislava since five years, and I have decided to leave my entire estate to my beloved daughter, Anna Novak. She is taking care of me since I have been ill, and I want to ensure she is provided for in the future.