Common English Mistakes in Sentence Structure Guides by German Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native German speakers from Germany when writing a Sentence Structure Guide in English.

Mistake Example #1

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

In this Ssentence Sstructure Gguide, we will explore how to construct Ssentences using different Pparts of Sspeech. First, identify the Ssubject and the Vverb in each Ssentence. Next, consider how Aadjectives and Aadverbs can modify Nnouns and Vverbs to add more Ddetail. Remember that the Pplacement of Wwords can affect the Mmeaning of the Ssentence, so pay Aattention to the Oorder of Nnouns and Vverbs.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Great job! Very few changes were needed for proper capitalization. "

In this sentence structure guide, we will explore how to construct sentences using different parts of speech. First, identify the subject and the verb in each sentence. Next, consider how adjectives and adverbs can modify nouns and verbs to add more detail. Remember that the placement of words can affect the meaning of the sentence, so pay attention to the order of nouns and verbs.

In this Sentence Structure Guide, we will explore how to construct Sentences using different Parts of Speech. First, identify the Subject and the Verb in each Sentence. Next, consider how Adjectives and Adverbs can modify Nouns and Verbs to add more Detail. Remember that the Placement of Words can affect the Meaning of the Sentence, so pay Attention to the Order of Nouns and Verbs.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of passive voice

In English writing, the actitve voice is often preferred that active voice is used to make sentences clearer and more direct. However, in German, the passive voice is frequently used, which can lead to itsoveruse in English writing. For example, the sentence "The cake was eaten by the children" is in thepassive voice, while "The children ate the cake" is in theactive voice. It isWe recommended thate active voiceis chosen to make writing more engaging. In many cases, the active voice makessentencesare made more concise and livelywhen active voice is used.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed some (not all) of the passive voice constructions to the active voice."

In English writing, the active voice is often preferred to make sentences clearer and more direct. However, in German, the passive voice is frequently used, which can lead to its overuse in English writing. For example, the sentence "The cake was eaten by the children" is in the passive voice, while "The children ate the cake" is in the active voice. We recommend the active voice to make writing more engaging. In many cases, the active voice makes sentences more concise and lively.

In English writing, it is often preferred that active voice is used to make sentences clearer and more direct. However, in German, the passive voice is frequently used, which can lead to overuse in English writing. For example, the sentence "The cake was eaten by the children" is in passive voice, while "The children ate the cake" is in active voice. It is recommended that active voice is chosen to make writing more engaging. In many cases, sentences are made more concise and lively when active voice is used.

Mistake Example #3

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

When you are writing a sentence, it is important that you remember the word order in English is different than in German. For example, if you want to say that you will go to the store after you have finished your homework, you might write: "I will go to the store after I my homework have finished." However, in English, the correct order is: "I will go to the store after I have finished my homework." Another example is when you want to express that you are happy because you receiveda good gradereceived, you might write: "I am happy because I a good grade received." But in English, it should be: "I am happy because I received a good grade."

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Very few changes were needed overall."

When you are writing a sentence, it is important that you remember the word order in English is different than in German. For example, if you want to say that you will go to the store after you have finished your homework, you might write: "I will go to the store after I my homework have finished." However, in English, the correct order is: "I will go to the store after I have finished my homework." Another example is when you want to express that you are happy because you received a good grade, you might write: "I am happy because I a good grade received." But in English, it should be: "I am happy because I received a good grade."

When you are writing a sentence, it is important that you remember the word order in English is different than in German. For example, if you want to say that you will go to the store after you have finished your homework, you might write: "I will go to the store after I my homework have finished." However, in English, the correct order is: "I will go to the store after I have finished my homework." Another example is when you want to express that you are happy because you a good grade received, you might write: "I am happy because I a good grade received." But in English, it should be: "I am happy because I received a good grade."