Common Mistakes
Here is a collection of the most common English mistakes found in public signs found in Singapore that contain broken English and how they should be phrased correctly.
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Wrong:
Please keep door close.
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Right:
Please keep door closed.
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Wrong:
Seize/Stop Operation
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Right:
Cease operations.
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Wrong:
Wheel cramp.
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Right:
Wheel clamp.
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Wrong:
No horning.
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Right:
No honking.
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Wrong:
No enter.
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Right:
No entry.
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Wrong:
Aircon dining area.
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Right:
Air-conditioned dining area.
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Wrong:
Open 24 hour.
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Right:
Open 24 hours.
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Wrong:
Shoplifters will be handled over to the police.
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Right:
Shoplifters will be handed over to the police.
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Wrong:
No tresspass.
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Right:
No trespassing.
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Wrong:
For your safety, please do not seat on the steps.
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Right:
For your own safety, please do not sit on the steps.
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Wrong:
Today special.
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Right:
Today's special.
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Wrong:
Strictly for man customers only.
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Right:
Strictly for male customers only.
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Wrong:
Please drop here.
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Right:
Please drop in your forms here.
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Wrong:
No parking of motorists.
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Right:
No parking of motorcycles. (or) No parking of vehicles.
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Wrong:
Check deposit.
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Right:
Cheque deposit.
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Wrong:
Out off order.
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Right:
Out of order.
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Wrong:
No litter and dumping.
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Right:
No littering and dumping.
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Wrong:
No pet are allow.
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Right:
No pets are allowed. (or) No pets allowed.
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Wrong:
Please keep silence.
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Right:
Please keep silent. (or) Silence, please.
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Wrong:
Apologies for inconveniences cause.
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Right:
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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Wrong:
Works in progress.
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Right:
Work in progress.
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Wrong:
Please mine your head.
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Right:
Please mind your head.
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Wrong:
Please off lights after use.
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Right:
Please switch off lights after use.
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Wrong:
Authorised personnals only.
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Right:
Authorised personnel only.
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Wrong:
Please keep cleaning.
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Right:
Please keep the place clean.
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Wrong:
For lift breakdown, please call…
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Right:
In the event of a lift breakdown, please call…
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Wrong:
Thank you for your corporation.
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Right:
Thank you for your cooperation.