COMMONLY FOUND ENGLISH MISTAKES IN PUBLIC

SIGNS
In this section, we feature 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.

Phrase 1

Please keep door close.

Please keep
door closed.

Phrase 2

Thank you for your corporation.

Thank you for

your cooperation.

Phrase 3

For lift breakdown, please call…

In the event of a lift breakdown, please

call…

Phrase 4

Please keep cleaning.

Please keep the place

clean.

Phrase 5

Authorised personnals only
.

Authorised personnel only.

Phrase 6

Please off lights after use.

Please switch off lights after

use.

Phrase 7
 Please mine your head.

Please mind your
head.

Phrase 8

Works in
progress.

Work in progress.

Phrase 9

Apologies for inconveniences cause.

We apologise for any inconvenience

caused.

Phrase 10

Please
keep silence.

Please keep silent.

Silence, please.

Phrase 11

No pet are allow.

No pets are allowed
.

No pets allowed.

Phrase 12

No litter and dumping.

No littering and
dumping.

Phrase 13

Out off order
.
 Out of order.

Phrase 14

Check deposit.

Cheque deposit.

Phrase 15

No parking of motorists.

No parking
of motorcycles.

No parking of vehicles.

Phrase 16

Please drop here.

Please drop in your forms here.

Phrase 17

Strictly for man customers only.

Strictly for male customers
only.

Phrase 18

Today special.

Today’s special
.

Phrase 19

For your safety, please do not seat on the steps.

For your own safety, please do not sit on the

steps.

Phrase 20

No tresspass.

No trespassing
.
Phrase 21

Shoplifters will be handled over to the

police.

Shoplifters will be handed over to the police.

Phrase 22

Open 24 hour.

Open 24 hours.

Phrase 23

Aircon dinning area.

Air conditioned
dining area.

Phrase 24

No enter.

No entry.

Phrase 25

No horning.

No honking.

Phrase 26

Wheel cramp.

Wheel clamp.

Phrase 27

Seize operation. / Stop operation
.

Cease operations.

Where would you expect to see signs and notices 1 – 48? Choose from the most
appropriate option from the box. In some cases, more than one answer may be possible.
Signs and notices
47
At a bus stop. At the zoo. By the side of the road. In a bank. In a café.
In a car park. In a hotel. In a pub. In a public area such as a shopping centre or park.
In a shop. In a library or a hospital. In a supermarket. On the emergency alarm on a train.
On a bus. On or outside a commercial or residential building. On a fire alarm.
On a machine or a toilet door. On the back of a lorry or commercial vehicle.
On an envelope or parcel. On the London Underground
On the packet or bottle of a pharmaceutical product. On a shop window.
On a wall or other empty surface. On your car windscreen.
At the entrance to a toilet. In the entrance to a museum, cinema or theatre.
Outside a hotel or guest house. Outside a piece of private land. Outside a pub.
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9.
10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15.
16. 17. 18.
19. 20. 21.
Exact fare please. Please wait here until a
cashier is available. Baskets only.
No vacancies. No waiting at any time. To let.
Pay and display. For external use only. Please keep clear. Gates in
constant use.
Sunday and bank holiday:
no service.
Trespassers will be
prosecuted. Silence please.
Out of order. All major cards accepted. Sale.
Please handle with care.
Please take a ticket and
wait for your number to
appear.
Ladies.
Gents. Do not exceed the stated
dosage.
In case of emergency,
break glass.48
22. 23. 24.
No skateboarding. No ball
games.
Fixed penalty notice. No billposting.
25. 26. 27.
B&B. Fine for improper use: £50. Wet paint.
28. 29. 30.
No littering. Fragile. Kill your speed.
31. 32. 33.
Stand on the right. Give way. Queue this side.
34. 35. 36.
Latest checkout time:
11.00.
Please order food at the
bar. Do not feed the animals.
37. 38. 39.
Concessions: OAPs /
Students / Children under
12: £2.50.
Shoplifters will be
prosecuted. Bar open to non-residents.
40. 41. 42.
Pool. Sky Sports. Big
Screen TV. Pedestrian zone. Beer garden. Fine wines
and ales.
43. 44. 45.
Please buy ticket from the
driver. No return within 1 hour.
Proof of ID may be
required if you appear to
be under 18.
46. 47. 48.
The management reserves
the right of admission. Self-service. How's my driving?