Common English Mistakes in Memo by Korean Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Korean speakers from South Korea when writing a Memos in English.

Mistake Example #1

Omitting articles ('a', 'an', 'the')

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Team Building Event We are excited to announce that our team-building eventis scheduled for next Friday. EThe event will take place ata local park, starting at 10 AMa.m. Please bring comfortable clothes anda positive attitude. Lunch will be provided, and we encourage everyone to participate in theactivities planned. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions by theend of theweek. LWe are looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"Watch out for missing articles! : )"

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Team Building Event We are excited to announce that our team-building event is scheduled for next Friday. The event will take place at a local park, starting at 10 a.m. Please bring comfortable clothes and a positive attitude. Lunch will be provided, and we encourage everyone to participate in the activities planned. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions by the end of the week. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Team Building Event We are excited to announce team building event scheduled for next Friday. Event will take place at local park, starting at 10 AM. Please bring comfortable clothes and positive attitude. Lunch will be provided, and we encourage everyone to participate in activities planned. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions by end of week. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Mistake Example #2

Incorrect word order in complex sentences

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Project Deadline Please be reminded that the deadline for the project, which we discussed last week, is approaching quickly. It is important that all team members,submit their parts before the end of this week, submit their parts. If any issues arise, you should, as soon as possible, inform your supervisoras soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation and hard work.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Be mindful of the word order of your sentences. For example, "It is important that all team members, before the end of this week, submit their parts." flows better this way: "It is important that all team members submit their parts before the end of this week.""

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Project Deadline Please be reminded that the deadline for the project we discussed last week is approaching quickly. It is important that all team members submit their parts before the end of this week. If any issues arise, inform your supervisor as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation and hard work.

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Project Deadline Please be reminded that the deadline for the project, which we discussed last week, is approaching quickly. It is important that all team members, before the end of this week, submit their parts. If any issues arise, you should, as soon as possible, inform your supervisor. Thank you for your cooperation and hard work.

Mistake Example #3

Confusion with prepositions ('in', 'on', 'at')

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming TeamB-building Event Dear Team, I am happy to announce that we will have a team-building eventin next Friday. The event will take place onat the park near our office, starting at 10 AM. Please make sure to arrive aton time and bring your enthusiasm. LI looking forward to seeing everyone there and haveing a great time together.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Overall your writing was very professional; it just needed a few tweaks to make things consistent. Good job!"

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Team-building Event Dear Team, I am happy to announce that we will have a team-building event next Friday. The event will take place at the park near our office, starting at 10 AM. Please make sure to arrive on time and bring your enthusiasm. I look forward to seeing everyone there and having a great time together.

To: All Staff Subject: Upcoming Team Building Event Dear Team, I am happy to announce that we will have a team building event in next Friday. The event will take place on the park near our office, starting at 10 AM. Please make sure to arrive at time and bring your enthusiasm. Looking forward to see everyone there and have a great time together.