Common English Mistakes in Creative Nonfictions by German Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

In the quiet village of Oberndorf, where the river flows gently through the fields,there lived a woman named Anna who loved to paint. She often said that when the sun sets behind the hills, the colors in the sky are like a dream. Her favorite time to paint was in the early morning, when the world isstill asleepis, and the first light touches the rooftops. Anna believed that if one listens closely, the whispers of the past can be heard in the rustling leaves.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very nice! I just fixed some minor issues, including one with the incorrect word order."

In the quiet village of Oberndorf, where the river flows gently through the fields, there lived a woman named Anna who loved to paint. She often said that when the sun sets behind the hills, the colors in the sky are like a dream. Her favorite time to paint was in the early morning, when the world is still asleep, and the first light touches the rooftops. Anna believed that if one listens closely, the whispers of the past can be heard in the rustling leaves.

In the quiet village of Oberndorf, where the river flows gently through the fields, lived a woman named Anna who loved to paint. She often said that when the sun sets behind the hills, the colors in the sky are like a dream. Her favorite time to paint was in the early morning, when the world still asleep is, and the first light touches the rooftops. Anna believed that if one listens closely, the whispers of the past can be heard in the rustling leaves.

Mistake Example #3

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

In the Hheart of the Fforest, the Ttrees whispered Ssecrets to the Wwind, and the Aanimals gathered around the ancient Ooak to listen. The Ssun cast its golden Rrays through the Lleaves, creating Ppatternson the Forest Floor that danced with the Sshadowson the forest floor. As the Dday turned to Nnight, the Sstars began their gentle Wwatch over the Ssleeping Ccreatures, and the Mmoon bathed the Wworld in its Ssilver Llight.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

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

In the heart of the forest, the trees whispered secrets to the wind, and the animals gathered around the ancient oak to listen. The sun cast its golden rays through the leaves, creating patterns that danced with the shadows on the forest floor. As the day turned to night, the stars began their gentle watch over the sleeping creatures, and the moon bathed the world in its silver light.

In the Heart of the Forest, the Trees whispered Secrets to the Wind, and the Animals gathered around the ancient Oak to listen. The Sun cast its golden Rays through the Leaves, creating Patterns on the Forest Floor that danced with the Shadows. As the Day turned to Night, the Stars began their gentle Watch over the Sleeping Creatures, and the Moon bathed the World in its Silver Light.