Common English Mistakes in Patient Information Leaflets by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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 #2

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

This leaflet is to help you understand how to use the medication correctly. You should do the treatment as instructed by your doctor and make sure to do the exercises recommended. If you mhakve any questions about the dosage, pleasedo contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Just a few corrections were needed: "If you make any questions" should be "If you have any questions". I also removed the "do" from this: "please do contact your healthcare provider immediately." to remove the repetition of three dos in the content (that particular "do" is also unnecessary)."

This leaflet is to help you understand how to use the medication correctly. You should do the treatment as instructed by your doctor and make sure to do the exercises recommended. If you have any questions about the dosage, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.

This leaflet is to help you understand how to use the medication correctly. You should do the treatment as instructed by your doctor and make sure to do the exercises recommended. If you make any questions about the dosage, please do contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Mistake Example #3

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

This medicine isfor to relieve the pain in your head. It hmakes sense to take it with food to avoid stomach upset. If you feel any side effects, please contact withyour doctor immediately.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Be mindful of errors such as the following: "This medicine is for to relieve" should be "This medicine is to relieve" and "It has sense to take it" should be "It makes sense to take it". "

This medicine is to relieve the pain in your head. It makes sense to take it with food to avoid stomach upset. If you feel any side effects, please contact your doctor immediately.

This medicine is for to relieve the pain in your head. It has sense to take it with food to avoid stomach upset. If you feel any side effects, please contact with your doctor immediately.