Common English Mistakes by Arabic Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Arabic speakers from United Arab Emirates when writing in English.

Category:ESL Writing
Writing for English as a Second Language learners improving their skills.
Common Users:Non-native speakers, Language learners.
Mistake Example #1

ESL Writing / Email Practice

Overuse of passive voice

Subject: Request for Meeting Dear Mr. Ahmed, It isam hopeding that the meeting can be scheduled for next week. TWe discussed the project details were discussed,andit was agreed that further clarification is needed. Your feedback is appreciated, and itwe isare requesteding that you suggest a suitable timeis suggested by you. Best regards, Fatima

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed some of the passive voice phrases to the active voice to improve readability. Good work!"

Subject: Request for Meeting Dear Mr. Ahmed, I am hoping that the meeting can be scheduled for next week. We discussed the project details and agreed that further clarification is needed. Your feedback is appreciated, and we are requesting that you suggest a suitable time. Best regards, Fatima

Subject: Request for Meeting Dear Mr. Ahmed, It is hoped that the meeting can be scheduled for next week. The project details were discussed, and it was agreed that further clarification is needed. Your feedback is appreciated, and it is requested that a suitable time is suggested by you. Best regards, Fatima

Mistake Example #2

ESL Writing / Essay Writing Practice

Overuse of passive voice

In the United Arab Emirates, it is believed thateducation is highly valued. The sStudents are encouraged to pursue higher seducatudieson, and scholarships are proavaidlabled to support them. IThe government is often seen tmphatsizes the importance of educationis emphasized by the government, andthey are taking initiativesare taken to improve thecountry's educational system.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed some of the sentences from the passive voice to the active voice and polished up the language."

In the United Arab Emirates, education is highly valued. Students are encouraged to pursue higher education, and scholarships are available to support them. The government emphasizes the importance of education, and they are taking initiatives to improve the country's educational system.

In the United Arab Emirates, it is believed that education is highly valued. The students are encouraged to pursue higher studies, and scholarships are provided to support them. It is often seen that the importance of education is emphasized by the government, and initiatives are taken to improve the educational system.

Mistake Example #3

ESL Writing / Grammar Exercises

Misuse of articles ('I have car' instead of 'I have a car')

Please complete the following sentences with thecorrect articles:I have car that I bought last year. It is very reliable and I use it to go to work every day.My friend has bicycle, and we sometimes ride together on weekends. I also have pet cat, which is very playful and loves to chase ball around house.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I added articles to the instructions in the opening sentence, but not to the rest of the text due to the nature of this exercise."

Please complete the following sentences with the correct articles: I have car that I bought last year. It is very reliable and I use it to go to work every day. My friend has bicycle, and we sometimes ride together on weekends. I also have pet cat, which is very playful and loves to chase ball around house.

Please complete following sentences with correct articles: I have car that I bought last year. It is very reliable and I use it to go to work every day. My friend has bicycle, and we sometimes ride together on weekends. I also have pet cat, which is very playful and loves to chase ball around house.

Mistake Example #4

ESL Writing / Pronunciation Guide

Overuse of passive voice

In this pronunciation guide, we explainthe sounds of Englishare explained. The vowels are pronounced with clarity, andwhile the consonants are emphasized. The differences between similar sounds are highlighted, and examples arwe providedexamples for practice. The guide is designed to help with the improvement of pronunciation skills.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I changed some of the passive voice constructions to the active voice in order to improve the flow of the text."

In this pronunciation guide, we explain the sounds of English. The vowels are pronounced with clarity, while the consonants are emphasized. The differences between similar sounds are highlighted, and we provide examples for practice. The guide is designed to help with the improvement of pronunciation skills.

In this pronunciation guide, the sounds of English are explained. The vowels are pronounced with clarity, and the consonants are emphasized. The differences between similar sounds are highlighted, and examples are provided for practice. The guide is designed to help with the improvement of pronunciation skills.

Mistake Example #5

ESL Writing / Sentence Structure Guide

Misuse of articles ('I have car' instead of 'I have a car')

When writing sentence in English, it is important to usean article correctly. For example, when you say "I have car," it should be "I have a car" to be correct. Another example is "She is teacher," which needs article to become "She is a teacher." Using an article helps to make the sentence clear and complete.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"It had some missing articles that weren't part of the examples."

When writing sentence in English, it is important to use an article correctly. For example, when you say "I have car," it should be "I have a car" to be correct. Another example is "She is teacher," which needs article to become "She is a teacher." Using an article helps to make the sentence clear and complete.

When writing sentence in English, it is important to use article correctly. For example, when you say "I have car," it should be "I have a car" to be correct. Another example is "She is teacher," which needs article to become "She is a teacher." Using article helps to make sentence clear and complete.

Mistake Example #6

ESL Writing / Vocabulary Building Exercises

Overuse of passive voice

In the vocabulary building exercises, istiudents sugglested thatrn new words are learned by students through reading. Thewords arey then usethe words in sentences by them tfor practice. IThis method is believed that vocabulary is improved by this method effectivelyimprove vocabulary.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed some of the passive voice constructions to the active voice and polished up the text."

In the vocabulary building exercises, students learn new words through reading. They then use the words in sentences for practice. This method is believed to effectively improve vocabulary.

In the vocabulary building exercises, it is suggested that new words are learned by students through reading. The words are then used in sentences by them to practice. It is believed that vocabulary is improved by this method effectively.