Common English Mistakes in User Manuals by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

To start the device, you mustpress the button that is ion the right side., Ithas sense to wait a few seconds until the screen turns on. If the screen does not turn on, please censure theck ifat the device is cpronnpectrly plugged to the electricityn.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to sound more natural and fluid."

To start the device, press the button on the right side, then wait a few seconds until the screen turns on. If the screen does not turn on, please ensure that the device is properly plugged in.

To start the device, you must press the button that is in the right side. It has sense to wait a few seconds until the screen turns on. If the screen does not turn on, please check if the device is connected to the electricity.

Mistake Example #2

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

To operate the new coffee machine, you arepressing the power button located on the top right corner. Once the machine is turninged on,you are selecting your desired coffee type by rotating the dial. If you arewanting to adjust the strength of the coffee, you areusinge the slider on the left side.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Changes I made were mostly to improve fluidity and readability. For example, "you are pressing the power button" should be "press the power button" and "Once the machine is turning on" should be "Once the machine is turned on". "

To operate the new coffee machine, press the power button located on the top right corner. Once the machine is turned on, select your desired coffee type by rotating the dial. If you want to adjust the strength of the coffee, use the slider on the left side.

To operate the new coffee machine, you are pressing the power button located on the top right corner. Once the machine is turning on, you are selecting your desired coffee type by rotating the dial. If you are wanting to adjust the strength of the coffee, you are using the slider on the left side.

Mistake Example #3

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

To assemble the device, first makesure you do all the necessary preparations. Begin by makeing sure that all components are present in the package. If you do not findany partis missing, please make acontactwith our support team. Once you have everything, do theconnection of the power cable to the main unit and make sure it is securely attached.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"I've corrected the use of "make" in this text, and I've made a few other changes to enhance the overall fluency and flow."

To assemble the device, first make all the necessary preparations. Begin by making sure that all components are present in the package. If any part is missing, please contact our support team. Once you have everything, connect the power cable to the main unit and make sure it is securely attached.

To assemble the device, first make sure you do all the necessary preparations. Begin by make sure that all components are present in the package. If you do not find any part, please make a contact with our support team. Once you have everything, do the connection of the power cable to the main unit and make sure it is securely attached.