Common English Mistakes in Prescription Guides by Ukrainian Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Ukrainian speakers from Ukraine when writing a Prescription Guide in English.

Mistake Example #1

Skipping articles ('I bought car' instead of 'I bought a car')

Take one tablet with water every morning before breakfast. If you miss adose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for thenext dose. Do not takea double dose to make up fora missed one. Store medicine ina cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"This is a good write-up overall. However, don't forget to use prepositions correctly in your sentences. For example, "If you miss dose" should be "If you miss a dose" and "for next dose" should be "for the next dose"."

Take one tablet with water every morning before breakfast. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Store medicine in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Take one tablet with water every morning before breakfast. If you miss dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for next dose. Do not take double dose to make up for missed one. Store medicine in cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Mistake Example #2

Confusion with word order ('Always I go to the store' instead of 'I always go to the store')

Take one tablet, always with water after mealnd alwaysafter a meal. Ifthe pain continues, you shouldcontacta doctor immediately. Remember,do not skip doses and store medicine in acool, dry place.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some corrections to fix the word order. Some of the phrasing was confusing—please check that my correction keeps your meaning intact."

Take one tablet, always with water and always after a meal. If the pain continues, contact a doctor immediately. Remember, do not skip doses and store medicine in a cool, dry place.

Take one tablet with water after meal always. If pain continues, you should contact doctor immediately. Remember, not skip doses and store medicine in cool, dry place.

Mistake Example #3

Using 'will' incorrectly in conditionals ('If it will rain, I will stay' instead of 'If it rains, I will stay')

Take one tablet of the medication every morning with water. If you willfeel any dizziness, you should sit down and rest. If it willdoes not improve, contact your doctor immediately. Do not take more than the prescribed dose, and if you willmiss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it will bes close to the time for your next dose.

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

"I removed unnecessary instances of the word "will" and replaced a word or two to make the English sound more natural. Overall, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

Take one tablet of the medication every morning with water. If you feel any dizziness, you should sit down and rest. If it does not improve, contact your doctor immediately. Do not take more than the prescribed dose, and if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the time for your next dose.

Take one tablet of the medication every morning with water. If you will feel any dizziness, you should sit down and rest. If it will not improve, contact your doctor immediately. Do not take more than the prescribed dose, and if you will miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it will be close to the time for your next dose.