Common English Mistakes in Screenplays by Arabic Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

Overuse of passive voice

INT. COFFEE-SHOP- DAY The coffee was being sipped byLAYLA, a young woman in her twenties, sipped her coffee. Her eyes werebeing drawn to the window, where she observedthe bustling citywas being observed by her. The thoughts of the meeting were beingreplayed in her mind, and she madea decisionwas being considered by her.

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

"I changed some parts from the passive voice to the active voice to make the English sound more natural to a native speaker. Otherwise, your ideas were clearly expressed."

INT. COFFEE-SHOP DAY LAYLA, a young woman in her twenties, sipped her coffee. Her eyes were drawn to the window, where she observed the bustling city. The thoughts of the meeting replayed in her mind, and she made a decision.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY The coffee was being sipped by LAYLA, a young woman in her twenties. Her eyes were being drawn to the window, where the bustling city was being observed by her. The thoughts of the meeting were being replayed in her mind, and a decision was being considered by her.

Mistake Example #2

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

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY ALI sits on acouch, witholdinga script in hand. He looks at LAILA, who is pacing nervously. ALI I read thescript. It isa very good story. But I think we need to change theending. LAILA Yes, I agree. EThe ending is too sudden. We should add ascene where the hero finds peace. ALI That isa great idea. Also, we need to talk about thelocation oforthe shoot. I havea friend who owns avilla. It canould be the perfect place.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Well done! I just made a few small changes to add articles and polish things up."

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY ALI sits on a couch with a script in hand. He looks at LAILA, who is pacing nervously. ALI I read the script. It is a very good story. But I think we need to change the ending. LAILA Yes, I agree. The ending is too sudden. We should add a scene where the hero finds peace. ALI That is a great idea. Also, we need to talk about the location of the shoot. I have a friend who owns a villa. It could be the perfect place.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY ALI sits on couch, holding script in hand. He looks at LAILA, who is pacing nervously. ALI I read script. It is very good story. But I think we need to change ending. LAILA Yes, I agree. Ending is too sudden. We should add scene where hero finds peace. ALI That is great idea. Also, we need to talk about location for shoot. I have friend who owns villa. It can be perfect place.