Common English Mistakes in Memo by Spanish Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Spanish speakers from Spain when writing a Memos in English.

Mistake Example #1

Confusion between 'do' and 'make' ('I make a mistake' instead of 'I made a mistake')

To: All Staff Subject: Office Supplies Inventory Dear Team, I want to inform you that we need to makedo an inventory of the office supplies by the end of this week. Please makesure to do a list of all items you use regularly and send it to me by Friday. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to makecontactwith me. Thank you for your cooperation.

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

"I changed and deleted some words to make the sentences sound more natural. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

To: All Staff Subject: Office Supplies Inventory Dear Team, I want to inform you that we need to do an inventory of the office supplies by the end of this week. Please make a list of all items you use regularly and send it to me by Friday. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your cooperation.

To: All Staff Subject: Office Supplies Inventory Dear Team, I want to inform you that we need to make an inventory of the office supplies by the end of this week. Please make sure to do a list of all items you use regularly and send it to me by Friday. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to make contact with me. Thank you for your cooperation.

Mistake Example #2

Misuse of present continuous ('I am having 30 years of experience' instead of 'I have 30 years of experience')

To: All Staff Subject: Project Update I am writing to inform you that we arewill havinge a new project starting next month. I ambeing very excited about this opportunity and I amhopinge everyone will be participating actively. We arehavinge a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday to discuss the details, and I am looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very good! I just made a few changes to the verb tense to make things consistent."

To: All Staff Subject: Project Update I am writing to inform you that we will have a new project starting next month. I am very excited about this opportunity and I hope everyone will be participating actively. We have a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday to discuss the details, and I am looking forward to seeing all of you there.

To: All Staff Subject: Project Update I am writing to inform you that we are having a new project starting next month. I am being very excited about this opportunity and I am hoping everyone will be participating actively. We are having a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday to discuss the details, and I am looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Mistake Example #3

Direct translations from Spanish ('It makes sense' vs. 'It has sense')

To: All Staff Subject: Meeting for Project Update I amwriteing to inform you that we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM in the main conference room. It hPleassense to bring your reports and any relevant documents for discussion. Pleasend confirm your attendance by the end of today. Thank you for your cooperation.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I made some changes so the English would sound more natural."

To: All Staff Subject: Meeting for Project Update I am writing to inform you that we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM in the main conference room. Please bring your reports and any relevant documents for discussion and confirm your attendance by the end of today. Thank you for your cooperation.

To: All Staff Subject: Meeting for Project Update I write to inform you that we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM in the main conference room. It has sense to bring your reports and any relevant documents for discussion. Please confirm your attendance by the end of today. Thank you for your cooperation.