Common English Mistakes by Spanish Speakers

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

Category:Educational & Instructional Writing
Writing used in teaching and educational settings.
Common Users:Teachers, Educators, Corporate Trainers.
Mistake Example #1

Educational & Instructional Writing / E-learning Module

Overuse of present continuous ('I am going to the school every day' instead of 'I go to school every day')

Welcome to the Ee-lLearning Module on English Grammar Basics. In this lesson, we are focusing on daily routines. I amwakinge up at 7 AM every day and I amhavinge breakfast before I amgoing tothe school. After classes, I amstudying in the library and I ammeetwingth my friends for group projects. This routine ishelpings me to improve my English skills and I am feeling more confident with each passing day.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I made some verb tense changes and polished it up a bit. Nice work!"

Welcome to the e-Learning Module on English Grammar Basics. In this lesson, we are focusing on daily routines. I wake up at 7 AM every day and I have breakfast before I go to school. After classes, I study in the library and meet with my friends for group projects. This routine helps me to improve my English skills and I am feeling more confident with each passing day.

Welcome to the E-learning Module on English Grammar Basics. In this lesson, we are focusing on daily routines. I am waking up at 7 AM every day and I am having breakfast before I am going to the school. After classes, I am studying in the library and I am meeting my friends for group projects. This routine is helping me to improve my English skills and I am feeling more confident with each passing day.

Mistake Example #2

Educational & Instructional Writing / Educational Handout

Misuse of prepositions ('Married with' instead of 'Married to')

**Educational Handout:** Welcome tothe English class! Today, we will discuss how to improve your writing skills. Many students are interested in learning how to use prepositions correctly. For example, some people say they are "married with" someone, but the correct way is to say "married to" someone. Also, remember that prepositions can change the meaning of a sentence, so it is important to practice them regularly. Let's work together to become more confident with English prepositions!

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This only needed a few small changes. (PLEASE NOTE that this is an educational handout and "married with" is used here as an example of an INCORRECT preposition. So the "error" is intentional and should not be corrected.) "

**Educational Handout:** Welcome to English class! Today, we will discuss how to improve your writing skills. Many students are interested in learning how to use prepositions correctly. For example, some people say they are "married with" someone, but the correct way is to say "married to" someone. Also, remember that prepositions can change the meaning of a sentence, so it is important to practice them regularly. Let's work together to become more confident with English prepositions!

**Educational Handout:** Welcome to the English class! Today, we will discuss how to improve your writing skills. Many students are interested in learning how to use prepositions correctly. For example, some people say they are married with someone, but the correct way is to say married to someone. Also, remember that prepositions can change the meaning of a sentence, so it is important to practice them regularly. Let's work together to become more confident with English prepositions!

Mistake Example #3

Educational & Instructional Writing / Instructional Guide

Direct translation of Spanish expressions ('I have 25 years' instead of 'I am 25 years old')

To prepare the delicious guacamole, you need to follow these steps. First, you take two avocados and remove the skin and the seed. Then, you mash them in a bowl until they are smooth. After, you add one chopped tomato, a little onion, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything well and taste itto see if it needs more salt. Finally, you serve itwith tortilla chips and enjoyit with your friends. Remember, the guacamole is better if you eat it fresh.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Your ideas were all very clear :) I just made a few small changes to polish things up. "

To prepare delicious guacamole, you need to follow these steps. First, you take two avocados and remove the skin and the seed. Then, you mash them in a bowl until they are smooth. After, you add one chopped tomato, a little onion, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything well and taste it to see if it needs more salt. Finally, you serve it with tortilla chips and enjoy it with your friends. Remember, the guacamole is better if you eat it fresh.

To prepare the delicious guacamole, you need to follow these steps. First, you take two avocados and remove the skin and the seed. Then, you mash them in a bowl until they are smooth. After, you add one chopped tomato, a little onion, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything well and taste to see if it needs more salt. Finally, you serve with tortilla chips and enjoy with your friends. Remember, the guacamole is better if you eat it fresh.

Mistake Example #4

Educational & Instructional Writing / Lesson Plan

Direct translation of Spanish expressions ('I have 25 years' instead of 'I am 25 years old')

For today's lesson plan, we will learn about the water cycle. First, I will explain how thewater evaporates from the ocean and goes to the sky. Then, we will makedo an experiment where you will see how the water condenses and falls like rain. I have 15 students in the class, and each onewill have their own materials to do the experiment.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"Just a few small changes were needed. (p.s.: "make an experiment" should be "do an experiment")"

For today's lesson plan, we will learn about the water cycle. First, I will explain how water evaporates from the ocean and goes to the sky. Then, we will do an experiment where you will see how the water condenses and falls like rain. I have 15 students in the class, and each will have their own materials to do the experiment.

For today's lesson plan, we will learn about the water cycle. First, I will explain how the water evaporates from the ocean and goes to the sky. Then, we will make an experiment where you will see how the water condenses and falls like rain. I have 15 students in the class, and each one will have their own materials to do the experiment.

Mistake Example #5

Educational & Instructional Writing / Online Course Content

Misuse of prepositions ('Married with' instead of 'Married to')

In this module, we will explore the basics of English grammar, focusing on common mistakes made by Spanish speakers. For example, many people get confused when using prepositions, like whensaying "married with" instead of "married to." Understanding these differences is important for improving your English skills. Let's start with some exercises that willhelp you practice these prepositions in different contexts.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Very good! Just a couple of changes to make everything consistent."

In this module, we will explore the basics of English grammar, focusing on common mistakes made by Spanish speakers. For example, many people get confused when using prepositions, like when saying "married with" instead of "married to." Understanding these differences is important for improving your English skills. Let's start with some exercises that will help you practice these prepositions in different contexts.

In this module, we will explore the basics of English grammar, focusing on common mistakes made by Spanish speakers. For example, many people get confused when using prepositions, like saying "married with" instead of "married to." Understanding these differences is important for improving your English skills. Let's start with some exercises that help you practice these prepositions in different contexts.

Mistake Example #6

Educational & Instructional Writing / Training Material

Overuse of present continuous ('I am going to the school every day' instead of 'I go to school every day')

In this lesson, we arefocusing on how to improve your English speaking skills. I amsuggesting that you arepracticinge every day by speaking with your classmates. Also, I amrecommending that you arewatching English movies with subtitles to help you betterunderstand bthettlanguager. By doing this, you arewill improvinge your vocabulary and pronunciation.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice job! I made some adjustments to the verb tense and some light stylistic improvements."

In this lesson, we focus on how to improve your English speaking skills. I suggest that you practice every day by speaking with your classmates. Also, I recommend that you watch English movies with subtitles to help you better understand the language. By doing this, you will improve your vocabulary and pronunciation.

In this lesson, we are focusing on how to improve your English speaking skills. I am suggesting that you are practicing every day by speaking with your classmates. Also, I am recommending that you are watching English movies with subtitles to help you understand better. By doing this, you are improving your vocabulary and pronunciation.