Common English Mistakes by German Speakers

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

Category:Fiction & Creative Writing
Writing for storytelling, entertainment, and artistic expression.
Common Users:Authors, Playwrights, Poets.
Mistake Example #1

Fiction & Creative Writing / Creative Nonfiction

Overuse of passive voice

In the quiet village of Oberndorf, the townspeople witnesseda mysterious eventwas witnessed by the townspeople. The old church bell, which had not rung for decades, was heard echoing through the valley. It wMasny believedby many that the bell was rung by the spirits of the past, who were said to be restless on stormy nights.


Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Great job! I just changed some (not all) of the passive voice phrases to the active voice."

In the quiet village of Oberndorf, the townspeople witnessed a mysterious event. The old church bell, which had not rung for decades, was heard echoing through the valley. Many believed that the bell was rung by the spirits of the past, who were said to be restless on stormy nights.

In the quiet village of Oberndorf, a mysterious event was witnessed by the townspeople. The old church bell, which had not rung for decades, was heard echoing through the valley. It was believed by many that the bell was rung by the spirits of the past, who were said to be restless on stormy nights.

Mistake Example #2

Fiction & Creative Writing / Flash Fiction

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

In the quiet Vvillage of Grünwald, the Mmoon cast a gentle Gglow over the Fforest. A young Ggirl named Anna wandered through the Ttrees, her Hheart full of Ccuriosity. She stumbled upon a hidden Ppond, where the Wwater shimmered like Sstars in the Nnight Ssky. As she leaned closer, a mysterious Vvoice whispered from the Ddepths, promising Aadventures beyond her wildest Ddreams.


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

"I changed the first letter of the common nouns from capital to lower case. Overall, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

In the quiet village of Grünwald, the moon cast a gentle glow over the forest. A young girl named Anna wandered through the trees, her heart full of curiosity. She stumbled upon a hidden pond, where the water shimmered like stars in the night sky. As she leaned closer, a mysterious voice whispered from the depths, promising adventures beyond her wildest dreams.

In the quiet Village of Grünwald, the Moon cast a gentle Glow over the Forest. A young Girl named Anna wandered through the Trees, her Heart full of Curiosity. She stumbled upon a hidden Pond, where the Water shimmered like Stars in the Night Sky. As she leaned closer, a mysterious Voice whispered from the Depths, promising Adventures beyond her wildest Dreams.

Mistake Example #3

Fiction & Creative Writing / Novel

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

In the quiet village of Grünwald, where the forest meets the river,there lived a young girl named Liesel. She loved to wander through the woods, where the trees whispered secrets to those who listened closely. One day, as she walked along the path, she noticed that the birdssingiong wereas more melodious than usual. She stopped to listen, and shethouinkinght about how beautiful the world was,whensuddenly a strange feelingsuddenly overcame her. It was as if the forest itself was trying to tell her something important, but she could not quite understand what it was.


Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaks to fix instances of incorrect word order, among other changes."

In the quiet village of Grünwald, where the forest meets the river, there lived a young girl named Liesel. She loved to wander through the woods, where the trees whispered secrets to those who listened closely. One day, as she walked along the path, she noticed that the birdsong was more melodious than usual. She stopped to listen, thinking about how beautiful the world was—when a strange feeling suddenly overcame her. It was as if the forest itself was trying to tell her something important, but she could not quite understand what it was.

In the quiet village of Grünwald, where the forest meets the river, lived a young girl named Liesel. She loved to wander through the woods, where the trees whispered secrets to those who listened closely. One day, as she walked along the path, she noticed that the birds singing were more melodious than usual. She stopped to listen, and she thought about how beautiful the world was, when suddenly a strange feeling overcame her. It was as if the forest itself was trying to tell her something important, but she could not quite understand what it was.

Mistake Example #4

Fiction & Creative Writing / Personal Essay

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

WI remember that when I was a child, I remember that my grandmother always told me stories before I went to bed. She said that if I ever felt lost, I should look to the stars, because they would guide me home. It was in those moments, when the world seemed so big and mysterious, that I realized how much I loved the night sky.


Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few minor tweaks to improve flow :) Nice work!"

I remember that when I was a child my grandmother always told me stories before I went to bed. She said that if I ever felt lost, I should look to the stars because they would guide me home. It was in those moments, when the world seemed so big and mysterious, that I realized how much I loved the night sky.

When I was a child, I remember that my grandmother always told me stories before I went to bed. She said that if I ever felt lost, I should look to the stars, because they would guide me home. It was in those moments, when the world seemed so big and mysterious, that I realized how much I loved the night sky.

Mistake Example #5

Fiction & Creative Writing / Poem

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

In the deepforestdeep, where the shadows dance, I wander alone, while the moonlight glows. The stars above, they whisper secrets, as the night unfolds its mysteries. When the wind singsthrough the treesit sings, my heart fillswith joyit fills, and I dream of worlds where the sun never sets.


Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"I have addressed some issues with word order in a few subordinate clauses while maintaining the lyrical approach."

In the deep forest, where the shadows dance, I wander alone, while the moonlight glows. The stars above, they whisper secrets, as the night unfolds its mysteries. When the wind sings through the trees, my heart fills with joy, and I dream of worlds where the sun never sets.

In the forest deep, where the shadows dance, I wander alone, while the moonlight glows. The stars above, they whisper secrets, as the night unfolds its mysteries. When the wind through the trees it sings, my heart with joy it fills, and I dream of worlds where the sun never sets.

Mistake Example #6

Fiction & Creative Writing / Screenplay

Overuse of passive voice

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY TANNA sipped the coffeewas being sipped by ANNA as she sat by the window. Her eyes were drawn to the bustling street outside, where peoplthe were beingd hurried peoplealongby the wind. ANNA held a bookwas being held in her other hand, but her attention was beingcaptured by the scene outside.


Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed some of the passive voice sentences to the active voice."

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY ANNA sipped the coffee as she sat by the window. Her eyes were drawn to the bustling street outside, where the wind hurried people along. ANNA held a book in her other hand, but her attention was captured by the scene outside.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY The coffee was being sipped by ANNA as she sat by the window. Her eyes were drawn to the bustling street outside, where people were being hurried along by the wind. A book was being held in her other hand, but her attention was being captured by the scene outside.

Mistake Example #7

Fiction & Creative Writing / Script Treatment

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

In the small village where the story begins, livesa young girl named Annawho dreams of adventures. When she discovers a mysterious map, she decides to follow it, although her parents warned her thatdangerous it could bedangerous. As the sun sets, she finds herself in a forest where the trees whisper secrets, and she realizes that the map, if readcorrectlyread, leads to a hidden treasure.


Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to correct word order problems."

In the small village where the story begins, a young girl named Anna dreams of adventures. When she discovers a mysterious map, she decides to follow it, although her parents warn her that it could be dangerous. As the sun sets, she finds herself in a forest where the trees whisper secrets, and she realizes that the map, if read correctly, leads to a hidden treasure.

In the small village where the story begins, lives a young girl named Anna who dreams of adventures. When she discovers a mysterious map, she decides to follow it, although her parents warned her that dangerous it could be. As the sun sets, she finds herself in a forest where the trees whisper secrets, and she realizes that the map, if correctly read, leads to a hidden treasure.

Mistake Example #8

Fiction & Creative Writing / Short Story

Overuse of passive voice

In the quiet village of Grünwald, the townsfolk had been whispering abouta mysterious eventwas being whispered about by the townsfolk. The old clock tower, which had stood for centuries, was said to be haunted by the spirit of a long-lost watchmaker. Every night, the sound of ticking wascould be heard, even though the clock had stopped working years ago. The villagers were frightened, and the mayor calleda meetingwas called by the mayor to discuss what should be done about the ghostly presence.


Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"This is a great start to your story! I just changed some (not all) of the passive voice constructions to the active voice to improve the flow of your narrative."

In the quiet village of Grünwald, the townsfolk had been whispering about a mysterious event. The old clock tower, which had stood for centuries, was said to be haunted by the spirit of a long-lost watchmaker. Every night, the sound of ticking could be heard, even though the clock had stopped working years ago. The villagers were frightened, and the mayor called a meeting to discuss what should be done about the ghostly presence.

In the quiet village of Grünwald, a mysterious event was being whispered about by the townsfolk. The old clock tower, which had stood for centuries, was said to be haunted by the spirit of a long-lost watchmaker. Every night, the sound of ticking was heard, even though the clock had stopped working years ago. The villagers were frightened, and a meeting was called by the mayor to discuss what should be done about the ghostly presence.