Common English Mistakes by Spanish Speakers

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

Category:Healthcare & Medical Writing
Writing for the healthcare and medical industry.
Common Users:Doctors, Medical Writers, Researchers.
Mistake Example #1

Healthcare & Medical Writing / Clinical Study

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

In this clinical study, we are examining the effects of the new medication on patients with chronic migraines. I hamve beieng part of the research team for over five years, and we harve observinged significant improvements in ourpatients' symptoms. The participants harvebeen reporting fewer headaches, and we arestill collecting data to analyze the long-term benefits of the treatment.

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

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

In this clinical study, we are examining the effects of the new medication on patients with chronic migraines. I have been part of the research team for over five years, and we have observed significant improvements in our patients' symptoms. The participants have been reporting fewer headaches, and we are still collecting data to analyze the long-term benefits of the treatment.

In this clinical study, we are examining the effects of the new medication on patients with chronic migraines. I am being part of the research team for over five years, and we are observing significant improvements in patient symptoms. The participants are reporting fewer headaches, and we are collecting data to analyze the long-term benefits of the treatment.

Mistake Example #2

Healthcare & Medical Writing / Health Article

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

In recent years, the benefits of the Mediterranean diet have gained much attention. It hmakes sense to include more olive oil and fresh vegetables in your meals for better health. Many studies show that this diet helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, ands itwell as makesing it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I just changed a few words to make the English sound more natural."

In recent years, the benefits of the Mediterranean diet have gained much attention. It makes sense to include more olive oil and fresh vegetables in your meals for better health. Many studies show that this diet helps to reduce the risk of heart disease as well as making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

In recent years, the benefits of the Mediterranean diet have gained much attention. It has sense to include more olive oil and fresh vegetables in your meals for better health. Many studies show that this diet helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, and it makes easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Mistake Example #3

Healthcare & Medical Writing / Medical Report

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

PThe patient is a male of 45 years oldwho comehas withad pain in the chest sincefor two days. He says that it hmakes sense to do more tests because he feels very worried about his health. The patient reports that he has taken medication, but it doehas not mhaked an effect.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Well done! I just made a few small changes to improve the flow and polish things up. "

The patient is a male of 45 years who has had pain in the chest for two days. He says that it makes sense to do more tests because he feels very worried about his health. The patient reports that he has taken medication, but it has not had an effect.

Patient is a male of 45 years old who comes with pain in the chest since two days. He says that it has sense to do more tests because he feels very worried about his health. The patient reports that he has taken medication, but it does not make effect.

Mistake Example #4

Healthcare & Medical Writing / Patient Information Leaflet

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

Dear Patient, yYou are receiving this leaflet because you arehavinge a prescription for the medication. It is important that you aretakinge the medicine exactly as your doctor issayings. If youare experiencinge any side effects, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few minor tweaks to put verbs in the right tense :) Nice work!"

Dear Patient, You are receiving this leaflet because you have a prescription for the medication. It is important that you take the medicine exactly as your doctor says. If you experience any side effects, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Dear Patient, you are receiving this leaflet because you are having a prescription for the medication. It is important that you are taking the medicine exactly as your doctor is saying. If you are experiencing any side effects, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Mistake Example #5

Healthcare & Medical Writing / Prescription Guide

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

When you are taking this medication, you areneeding to follow the instructions carefully. You are ctonsumingtake one tablet every morning with water, and you areavoiding alcohol while you are on this treatment. If you areexperiencinge any side effects, you arecontacting your doctor immediately.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Please be mindful of your use of present continuous tense. For example, "you are needing to follow" should be "you need to follow" and "You are consuming one tablet every morning with water, and you are avoiding alcohol" should be "You are to consume one tablet every morning with water, and avoid alcohol while you are on this treatment."."

When you are taking this medication, you need to follow the instructions carefully. You are to take one tablet every morning with water, and avoid alcohol while you are on this treatment. If you experience any side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

When you are taking this medication, you are needing to follow the instructions carefully. You are consuming one tablet every morning with water, and you are avoiding alcohol while you are on this treatment. If you are experiencing any side effects, you are contacting your doctor immediately.

Mistake Example #6

Healthcare & Medical Writing / Research Study

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

In tThis research study, we aims to analyze the effects of a new medication on patients with chronic migraines. DThrouringhout the trial, we condouct smultipleveral observations to ensure the accuracy of the results. It is crucialA that we doa detailedrough analysis of the datacollected data is essentialto mdrakew a comprehensive conclusion about the medication'’s efficacy.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to correct wording and for readability."

This research study aims to analyze the effects of a new medication on patients with chronic migraines. Throughout the trial, we conduct multiple observations to ensure the accuracy of the results. A thorough analysis of the collected data is essential to draw a comprehensive conclusion about the medication’s efficacy.

In this research study, we aim to analyze the effects of a new medication on patients with chronic migraines. During the trial, we do several observations to ensure the accuracy of the results. It is crucial that we do a detailed analysis of the data collected to make a comprehensive conclusion about the medication's efficacy.