Common English Mistakes by German Speakers

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

Category:Personal & Lifestyle Writing
Writing for personal expression and self-improvement.
Common Users:Bloggers, Life Coaches, Hobbyists.
Mistake Example #1

Personal & Lifestyle Writing / Journal Entry

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

Today was a very interesting Dday. I went to the Ppark with my Ffriend, Anna, and we had a lovely Ppicnic under the big Ooak Ttree. The Wweather was perfect, and we enjoyed watching the Dducks swim in the Ppond. Later, we visited a small Ccafé nearby and had delicious Ccake with Ccoffee. It was a wonderful Aafternoon, and I felt very happy to spend Ttime with such a good Ffriend.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Only proper nouns should be capitalized. Capitals are not necessary for common nouns (non-specific people, places, things, or ideas)."

Today was a very interesting day. I went to the park with my friend, Anna, and we had a lovely picnic under the big oak tree. The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed watching the ducks swim in the pond. Later, we visited a small café nearby and had delicious cake with coffee. It was a wonderful afternoon, and I felt very happy to spend time with such a good friend.

Today was a very interesting Day. I went to the Park with my Friend Anna, and we had a lovely Picnic under the big Oak Tree. The Weather was perfect, and we enjoyed watching the Ducks swim in the Pond. Later, we visited a small Café nearby and had delicious Cake with Coffee. It was a wonderful Afternoon, and I felt very happy to spend Time with such a good Friend.

Mistake Example #2

Personal & Lifestyle Writing / Life Advice Column

Overuse of passive voice

Dear Advice Seeker, it ispeople often saidy that happiness is found in small things, and thiseveryone shouldbe remembered by everyonethis. Whenyou feel that life isfeeling overwhelming, itis suggakested that a walk in natureis taken, as it ismany believed that fresh air can clear the mind. ProblWems caren often solvedproblems by simply taking a step back and allowing time to pass. It is hoped that these small changes will bring you peace and clarity.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"This is very nicely written overall. Generally, using the active voice makes for stronger writing, so I have made a number of edits to address this."

Dear Advice Seeker, people often say that happiness is found in small things, and everyone should remember this. When you feel that life is overwhelming, take a walk in nature, as many believe that fresh air can clear the mind. We can often solve problems by simply taking a step back and allowing time to pass. I hope these small changes will bring you peace and clarity.

Dear Advice Seeker, it is often said that happiness is found in small things, and this should be remembered by everyone. When life is feeling overwhelming, it is suggested that a walk in nature is taken, as it is believed that fresh air can clear the mind. Problems are often solved by simply taking a step back and allowing time to pass. It is hoped that these small changes will bring you peace and clarity.

Mistake Example #3

Personal & Lifestyle Writing / Motivational Speech

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

Dear Friends,Today is the Dday to embrace your Ddreams and pursue your Ppassions with all your Hheart. Remember, every Cchallenge is an Oopportunity to grow and become a better Vversion of yourself. Let us take this Jjourney together and support each other in achieving our Ggoals and Aaspirations.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very good! I just changed some of the capital letters to lower case, in keeping with the rules of English grammar."

Dear Friends, Today is the day to embrace your dreams and pursue your passions with all your heart. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity to grow and become a better version of yourself. Let us take this journey together and support each other in achieving our goals and aspirations.

Dear Friends, Today is the Day to embrace your Dreams and pursue your Passions with all your Heart. Remember, every Challenge is an Opportunity to grow and become a better Version of yourself. Let us take this Journey together and support each other in achieving our Goals and Aspirations.

Mistake Example #4

Personal & Lifestyle Writing / Personal Blog Post

Overuse of passive voice

Last weekend,I took a trip to the Black Forest wasitaken by me andh my friends. TWe enjoyed the beautiful scenery was enjoyed,andtook many photos were taken by us. In the evening,we cooked a traditional German dinner was cooked,and shared storieswere shared around the campfire.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very nice! I just changed the passive voice constructions to the active voice to improve the flow of the text."

Last weekend, I took a trip to the Black Forest with my friends. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and took many photos. In the evening, we cooked a traditional German dinner and shared stories around the campfire.

Last weekend, a trip to the Black Forest was taken by me and my friends. The beautiful scenery was enjoyed, and many photos were taken by us. In the evening, a traditional German dinner was cooked, and stories were shared around the campfire.

Mistake Example #5

Personal & Lifestyle Writing / Personal Essay

Capitalizing all nouns (following German grammar rules)

When I was a Cchild, I always dreamed of visiting the United States. The Iidea of seeing the Statue of Liberty and experiencing theAmerican Cculture fascinated me. Last Yyear, I finally had the Oopportunity to travel there with my Ffamily, and it was an unforgettable Eexperience. We visited many famous Pplaces, including the Grand Canyon and Times Square, and I was amazed by the Ddiversity and Eenergy of the Ppeople.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"Only proper nouns should be capitalized. Capitals are not necessary for common nouns (non-specific people, places, things, or ideas)."

When I was a child, I always dreamed of visiting the United States. The idea of seeing the Statue of Liberty and experiencing American culture fascinated me. Last year, I finally had the opportunity to travel there with my family, and it was an unforgettable experience. We visited many famous places, including the Grand Canyon and Times Square, and I was amazed by the diversity and energy of the people.

When I was a Child, I always dreamed of visiting the United States. The Idea of seeing the Statue of Liberty and experiencing the American Culture fascinated me. Last Year, I finally had the Opportunity to travel there with my Family, and it was an unforgettable Experience. We visited many famous Places, including the Grand Canyon and Times Square, and I was amazed by the Diversity and Energy of the People.

Mistake Example #6

Personal & Lifestyle Writing / Self-Help Article

Overuse of passive voice

In the journey of self-improvement, it isyoften believedu thatke small steps are takenevery day. The emphasis is on the importance of setting achievable goalsis emphasized, andyou make progressis made by focusing on one task at a time. ISelf-improvement requiresunderstood that patienceis required, and setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth. By mMaintaining a positive mindset, it is ensureds that motivation is kept high, and success is achieved gradually.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed some (not all) of the sentences that use the passive voice and made some other stylistic improvements."

In the journey of self-improvement, you take small steps every day. The emphasis is on the importance of setting achievable goals, and you make progress by focusing on one task at a time. Self-improvement requires patience, and setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth. Maintaining a positive mindset ensures that motivation is kept high, and success is achieved gradually.

In the journey of self-improvement, it is often believed that small steps are taken every day. The importance of setting achievable goals is emphasized, and progress is made by focusing on one task at a time. It is understood that patience is required, and setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth. By maintaining a positive mindset, it is ensured that motivation is kept high, and success is achieved gradually.