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:Legal & Formal Writing
Writing used in legal and formal contexts.
Common Users:Lawyers, Paralegals, Law Students.
Mistake Example #1

Legal & Formal Writing / Agreement

Overuse of passive voice

This agreement binds madebetweenothe parties, and it iswho agreed that the terms will beo followits ted by both siderms. The payment is to be received by the first partywill receive payment, andthe services are to be provided by the second partywill provide the services. AIf any disputes are to be resolved by arbitration, and the decision is to beaccepted by, both partieswill resolve them through arbitration and accept the final decision.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This was revised to remove instances of passive voice."

This agreement binds both parties, who agree to follow its terms. The first party will receive payment, and the second party will provide the services. If any disputes arise, both parties will resolve them through arbitration and accept the final decision.

This agreement is made between the parties, and it is agreed that the terms will be followed by both sides. The payment is to be received by the first party, and the services are to be provided by the second party. Any disputes are to be resolved by arbitration, and the decision is to be accepted by both parties.

Mistake Example #2

Legal & Formal Writing / Contract

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

This Contract is made between theCompany and Client on thedate of signing.The Company agrees to provide service to theClient according to the terms outlined in thisagreement.The Client shall paya fee as specified in thecontract withina period of 30 days from receipt of theinvoice.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Some of the articles were missing, so I added them."

This Contract is made between the Company and Client on the date of signing. The Company agrees to provide service to the Client according to the terms outlined in this agreement. The Client shall pay a fee as specified in the contract within a period of 30 days from receipt of the invoice.

This Contract is made between Company and Client on date of signing. Company agrees to provide service to Client according to terms outlined in agreement. Client shall pay fee as specified in contract within period of 30 days from receipt of invoice.

Mistake Example #3

Legal & Formal Writing / Court Document

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

To Honorable Judge, I am writing to present acase regardinga dispute over property ownership. My client, who is aresident of Dubai, claims rightful ownership of theland in question. We request thecourt to considerthe evidence provided and grant us afair hearing. Thank you for yourattention to this matter.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"This is fairly well-written. However, don't forget to use articles in your sentences: for example, "I am writing to present case regarding dispute" should be "I am writing to present a case regarding a dispute" and "who is resident of Dubai" should be "who is a resident of Dubai"."

To Honorable Judge, I am writing to present a case regarding a dispute over property ownership. My client, who is a resident of Dubai, claims rightful ownership of the land in question. We request the court to consider the evidence provided and grant us a fair hearing. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

To Honorable Judge, I am writing to present case regarding dispute over property ownership. My client, who is resident of Dubai, claims rightful ownership of land in question. We request court to consider evidence provided and grant us fair hearing. Thank you for attention to this matter.

Mistake Example #4

Legal & Formal Writing / Legal Brief

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

In response tothe court's request, I submit this legal brief on behalf of (the/my)client, Mr. Ahmed. C(This/my) client has been accused of breach of contract, but theevidence clearly shows that he fulfilled all theobligations underthe agreement. We respectfully ask thecourt to dismiss thecharges due toa lack of substantial proof.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to add missing articles ("the," "an," etc.)."

In response to the court's request, I submit this legal brief on behalf of (the/my) client, Mr. Ahmed. (This/my) client has been accused of breach of contract, but the evidence clearly shows that he fulfilled all the obligations under the agreement. We respectfully ask the court to dismiss the charges due to a lack of substantial proof.

In response to court's request, I submit this legal brief on behalf of client, Mr. Ahmed. Client has been accused of breach of contract, but evidence clearly shows that he fulfilled all obligations under agreement. We respectfully ask court to dismiss charges due to lack of substantial proof.

Mistake Example #5

Legal & Formal Writing / Legal Memo

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

To: Legal Department Subject: Review of Contract Terms I am writing to discuss the terms ofthe contract we have with(our/your) client. It is important to ensure that theagreement is in compliance with theregulations ofthe United Arab Emirates. Please review thedocument and provide feedback onany clauses that may require amendment. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to add missing articles ("the," "an," etc.)."

To: Legal Department Subject: Review of Contract Terms I am writing to discuss the terms of the contract we have with (our/your) client. It is important to ensure that the agreement is in compliance with the regulations of the United Arab Emirates. Please review the document and provide feedback on any clauses that may require amendment. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

To: Legal Department Subject: Review of Contract Terms I am writing to discuss terms of contract we have with client. It is important to ensure that agreement is in compliance with regulations of United Arab Emirates. Please review document and provide feedback on clauses that may require amendment. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Mistake Example #6

Legal & Formal Writing / Privacy Policy

Overuse of passive voice

YOur company respects your privacy isand prespotected by our company, ands your personal data is protectedwith utmost care. IWe collect informationis collected from users to improve ourservices, and it iswensured that data is storealldata securely. Access toOnlyour information is limited to authorized personnelcan access your information, and it iswe used it sonlely forthe purposes outhat are speclifined in this policy.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"I made changes to reduce the use of passive voice, and to polish things up."

Our company respects your privacy and protects your personal data with utmost care. We collect information from users to improve our services, and we store all data securely. Only authorized personnel can access your information, and we use it solely for the purposes outlined in this policy.

Your privacy is respected by our company, and your personal data is protected with utmost care. Information is collected from users to improve services, and it is ensured that data is stored securely. Access to your information is limited to authorized personnel, and it is used only for purposes that are specified in this policy.

Mistake Example #7

Legal & Formal Writing / Terms & Conditions

Overuse of passive voice

These Terms and Conditions are agreed upon by the user and the company. The services are provided by the company, and the company wit is ensuredll thatke all necessary measuresare taken to protect user data. Any disputes arising from these terms will be resolved inaccordainceg witho the laws of the United Arab Emirates.

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

"I changed the passive voice to the active voice and made a few changes to the grammar."

These Terms and Conditions are agreed upon by the user and the company. The services are provided by the company, and the company will take all necessary measures to protect user data. Any disputes arising from these terms will be resolved according to the laws of the United Arab Emirates.

These Terms and Conditions are agreed upon by the user and the company. The services are provided by the company, and it is ensured that all necessary measures are taken to protect user data. Any disputes arising from these terms will be resolved in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates.

Mistake Example #8

Legal & Formal Writing / Will & Testament

Overuse of passive voice

This is the last will and testament ofme, Ahmed Al Mansoori, residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It ishereby declared by me that allof my assets are to be distributed among my children equally. The house is to be inherited by my eldest son, and the bank accounts are to be managed by my wife. It is requested that my wishes are to be respected and carried out by my family.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed one sentence from the passive voice to the active voice. However, since this is a legal document, I left the other passive voice sentences as-is."

This is the last will and testament of Ahmed Al Mansoori, residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I hereby declare that all of my assets are to be distributed among my children equally. The house is to be inherited by my eldest son, and the bank accounts are to be managed by my wife. It is requested that my wishes are to be respected and carried out by my family.

This is the last will and testament of me, Ahmed Al Mansoori, residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is declared by me that all my assets are to be distributed among my children equally. The house is to be inherited by my eldest son, and the bank accounts are to be managed by my wife. It is requested that my wishes are to be respected and carried out by my family.