Common English Mistakes in Flash Fictions by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

In the quiet town of San Miguel, Maria sat by the window, watching the rain fall like a curtain of silver threads. She thought about her life, how she hais 30 yearsold and still dreams of traveling the world. Her abuela always said, "The world is ayour handkoysterchief," and Maria believed it, hoping one day to see every corner of it.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"I have suggested more native-sounding English equivalents to the Spanish expressions, including the reference to Maria's age."

In the quiet town of San Miguel, Maria sat by the window, watching the rain fall like a curtain of silver threads. She thought about her life, how she is 30 years old and still dreams of traveling the world. Her abuela always said, "The world is your oyster," and Maria believed it, hoping one day to see every corner of it.

In the quiet town of San Miguel, Maria sat by the window, watching the rain fall like a curtain of silver threads. She thought about her life, how she has 30 years and still dreams of traveling the world. Her abuela always said, "The world is a handkerchief," and Maria believed it, hoping one day to see every corner of it.

Mistake Example #2

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

In the quiet town of San Miguel, there was a legend about a man who was married witho the sea. Every morning, he would walk along the shore, whispering secrets to the waves, as if they were old friends. The villagers often wondered if he had once been a sailor, or if the ocean had simply captured his heart in a way that no one else could understand.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I just changed a preposition. Good work!"

In the quiet town of San Miguel, there was a legend about a man who was married to the sea. Every morning, he would walk along the shore, whispering secrets to the waves, as if they were old friends. The villagers often wondered if he had once been a sailor, or if the ocean had simply captured his heart in a way that no one else could understand.

In the quiet town of San Miguel, there was a legend about a man who was married with the sea. Every morning, he would walk along the shore, whispering secrets to the waves, as if they were old friends. The villagers often wondered if he had once been a sailor, or if the ocean had simply captured his heart in a way that no one else could understand.

Mistake Example #3

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

Every evening, I amsitting by the window, watching the sun as it issettings behind the mountains. I amthinking about the stories my grandmother istellings me when I amvisiting her on Sundays. She isalways sayings that the stars aredancinge in the sky, and I ambelievinge her because I amseeing them twinkle every night.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few changes were needed to put verbs in the right tense. Nicely done! "

Every evening, I sit by the window, watching the sun as it sets behind the mountains. I think about the stories my grandmother tells me when I visit her on Sundays. She always says that the stars dance in the sky, and I believe her because I see them twinkle every night.

Every evening, I am sitting by the window, watching the sun as it is setting behind the mountains. I am thinking about the stories my grandmother is telling me when I am visiting her on Sundays. She is always saying that the stars are dancing in the sky, and I am believing her because I am seeing them twinkle every night.