Common English Mistakes in Government Memos by Korean Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

To: Department Heads Subject: Implementation of New Policy We are pleased to announce theimplementation of anewpolicy regarding workplace safety. Ppolicy awhimsch towill enhance safety measures and ensure compliance with regulations. Please review documthent attacheddocument and prepare feedback by theend of theweek. Your cooperation is essential for thesuccess of this initiative.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some corrections to add missing articles ("the," "an," etc.), as well as some other tweaks."

To: Department Heads Subject: Implementation of New Policy We are pleased to announce the implementation of a new workplace policy which will enhance safety measures and ensure compliance with regulations. Please review the attached document and prepare feedback by the end of the week. Your cooperation is essential for the success of this initiative.

To: Department Heads Subject: Implementation of New Policy We are pleased to announce implementation of new policy regarding workplace safety. Policy aims to enhance safety measures and ensure compliance with regulations. Please review document attached and prepare feedback by end of week. Your cooperation is essential for success of this initiative.

Mistake Example #2

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

To: All Department Heads Subject: Upcoming Policy Review Meeting We are pleased to inform you about the policy review meeting scheduled infor 15th0 AM on November. The15 meeting will take place on the main conference roomat 10 AM. Please ensure that all relevant documents are prepared in advance and submitted ton the office by 12thNovember12. Your cooperation in this matter is highly appreciated.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for proper prepositional phrasing, and I also made some changes for readability and flow."

To: All Department Heads Subject: Upcoming Policy Review Meeting We are pleased to inform you about the policy review meeting scheduled for 10 AM on November 15 in the main conference room. Please ensure that all relevant documents are prepared in advance and submitted to the office by November 12. Your cooperation in this matter is highly appreciated.

To: All Department Heads Subject: Upcoming Policy Review Meeting We are pleased to inform you about the policy review meeting scheduled in 15th November. The meeting will take place on the main conference room at 10 AM. Please ensure that all relevant documents are prepared in advance and submitted on the office by 12th November. Your cooperation in this matter is highly appreciated.

Mistake Example #3

Incorrect word order in complex sentences

To: All Department Heads Subject: Implementation of New Policy In response to recent changes, it is necessary that all departments, before the end of the month, submit their compliance reportsbefore the end of the month. The reports should include, in detail, how the new guidelines, which were distributed last week, are being implemented. It is important, fFor the success of this initiative, it is importantthat all feedbackis included, whether positive or negative, is included.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"I made edits to correct the word order in the content."

To: All Department Heads Subject: Implementation of New Policy In response to recent changes, it is necessary that all departments submit their compliance reports before the end of the month. The reports should include, in detail, how the new guidelines which were distributed last week are being implemented. For the success of this initiative, it is important that all feedback is included, whether positive or negative.

To: All Department Heads Subject: Implementation of New Policy In response to recent changes, it is necessary that all departments, before the end of the month, submit their compliance reports. The reports should include, in detail, how the new guidelines, which were distributed last week, are being implemented. It is important, for the success of this initiative, that all feedback, whether positive or negative, is included.