Common English Mistakes in Journal Entries by German Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

Incorrect word order in subordinate clauses

Today I went to the park, because the weather was so nice. I met with my friend Anna, who told me that she a new jobhas starteda new job. After we had coffee, we decided to go for a walk, since we both neededsome exerciseneeded.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Great job! Very few changes were needed overall."

Today I went to the park because the weather was so nice. I met with my friend Anna, who told me that she has started a new job. After we had coffee, we decided to go for a walk since we both needed some exercise.

Today I went to the park, because the weather was so nice. I met with my friend Anna, who told me that she a new job has started. After we had coffee, we decided to go for a walk, since we both some exercise needed.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of passive voice

Today, it wasI decidedby me to take a long walk in the park because everyone was enjoyingthe weather. wMas enjoyed by pevopleryone. The flowers were admiring thed by many pfloweoplers, and it wasI feltby me that spring is finally here. Later, my frit wasend suggested by my friend that we should try the new café, so weandte a delicious cakewas eaten by us.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I made some adjustments to the verb tense to improve the flow of the text. Nice job!"

Today, I decided take a long walk in the park because everyone was enjoying the weather. Many people were admiring the flowers, and I felt that spring is finally here. Later, my friend suggested that we should try the new café, so we ate a delicious cake.

Today, it was decided by me to take a long walk in the park because the weather was enjoyed by everyone. The flowers were admired by many people, and it was felt by me that spring is finally here. Later, it was suggested by my friend that we should try the new café, and a delicious cake was eaten by us.