Common English Mistakes in Creative Nonfictions by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

Every morning, I amwakinge up early because I amwanting to see the sunrise from my window. The colors arepainting the sky in a way that ismakinges me feel alive, and I amthinking about how lucky I am to live in this beautiful place. My family is always saying that I amdreaming too much, but I ambelievinge that dreams are important for the soul.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I just made a few changes to the verb tense. Good work!"

Every morning, I wake up early because I want to see the sunrise from my window. The colors paint the sky in a way that makes me feel alive, and I think about how lucky I am to live in this beautiful place. My family is always saying that I dream too much, but I believe that dreams are important for the soul.

Every morning, I am waking up early because I am wanting to see the sunrise from my window. The colors are painting the sky in a way that is making me feel alive, and I am thinking about how lucky I am to live in this beautiful place. My family is always saying that I am dreaming too much, but I am believing that dreams are important for the soul.

Mistake Example #2

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

In the heart of Mexico City, there is a small café where I often go to write. The owner, a kind woman named Rosa, is married witho a musician who playsthe guitar every evening. I love sitting by the window, sipping my coffee, and listening to the melodies that fill the air, feeling inspired by the stories that unfold around me.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Lovely! I just changed a preposition and an article."

In the heart of Mexico City, there is a small café where I often go to write. The owner, a kind woman named Rosa, is married to a musician who plays the guitar every evening. I love sitting by the window, sipping my coffee, and listening to the melodies that fill the air, feeling inspired by the stories that unfold around me.

In the heart of Mexico City, there is a small café where I often go to write. The owner, a kind woman named Rosa, is married with a musician who plays guitar every evening. I love sitting by the window, sipping my coffee, and listening to the melodies that fill the air, feeling inspired by the stories that unfold around me.

Mistake Example #3

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

When I was a child, my grandmother always told me stories about the magical creatures that lived in the forest behind our house. She said that if you listen carefully, you can hear the trees whisper secrets of the past. I havem 25 yearsold now, and I still remember those tales every time I walk through the woods, feeling the wind speak to me in a language I almost understand.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"Just a small correction to how we express age in English. Nice job! "

When I was a child, my grandmother always told me stories about the magical creatures that lived in the forest behind our house. She said that if you listen carefully, you can hear the trees whisper secrets of the past. I am 25 years old now, and I still remember those tales every time I walk through the woods, feeling the wind speak to me in a language I almost understand.

When I was a child, my grandmother always told me stories about the magical creatures that lived in the forest behind our house. She said that if you listen carefully, you can hear the trees whisper secrets of the past. I have 25 years now, and I still remember those tales every time I walk through the woods, feeling the wind speak to me in a language I almost understand.