Natural English Guide

Why Your English Sounds Translated

Recognise word order and phrase choices carried over from another language.

The essential idea

Writing sounds translated when it follows the vocabulary, word order, or social conventions of another language even though each English word is technically correct.

Typical signals include unusual collocations, over-explicit subjects, heavy noun phrases, misplaced adverbs, and a level of formality that does not fit the situation.

What makes it effective?

Pattern over word

Compare complete English phrases, not isolated dictionary equivalents.

Function over form

Ask what the sentence is doing—requesting, explaining, or reacting.

English information order

Put familiar context before the important new point.

Natural proportion

Give ordinary ideas ordinary language and emphasis.

A step-by-step method

    1

    Find the unnatural spot

    Mark wording that is correct but difficult to imagine in a real message.

    2

    Name the function

    Decide what the sentence needs to achieve.

    3

    Search for a pattern

    Use a trusted corpus or learner dictionary to check the whole phrase.

    4

    Rewrite simply

    Express the meaning with English you already use confidently.

    5

    Save the chunk

    Record the natural phrase with its situation and an example.

Natural rewrite in context

Situation: A literal workplace message is rewritten around familiar English patterns.

Focus: Literal translation

Translated: I make you this mail to inform that tomorrow I cannot assist to the meeting.

Natural: I’m writing to let you know that I can’t attend tomorrow’s meeting.

Why this version works

  • I’m writing to names the function naturally.
  • Let you know is a common phrase.
  • Attend takes a direct object.
  • The contraction suits an ordinary workplace message.

Useful phrases

State purpose

  • I’m writing to…
  • I wanted to let you know…
  • Just a quick note to…

Prefer common verbs

  • make a decision
  • take part
  • pay attention
  • keep in touch

Check naturalness

  • Would I see this whole phrase in English?
  • Is there a simpler verb?
  • Does the tone fit the situation?

Common mistakes to avoid

Improve this wording

Avoid: I make you this mail.

Use: I’m writing to you.

English uses a conventional purpose phrase.

Improve this wording

Avoid: I have 30 years.

Use: I’m 30 years old.

English expresses age with be, not have.

Improve this wording

Avoid: Tomorrow I cannot assist to the meeting.

Use: I can’t attend tomorrow’s meeting.

Attend means be present; assist means help.

Before you finish

  • The wording fits the reader, purpose, and level of formality.
  • Common phrases are used as complete patterns rather than translated word by word.
  • Each sentence is direct, manageable, and easy to read aloud.
  • Links between ideas express the intended relationship clearly.
  • Suspicious phrases were checked as whole units.
  • Word order follows English emphasis rather than the source language.

Keep noticing and reusing natural English patterns.

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