Common English Mistakes in Screenplays by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits across from JUAN, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She looks at him with a mix of excitement and nervousness. MARIA I can't believe you are finally here in Mexico City! How is everything with your family? I heard your sister got married witho a wonderful guy from Guadalajara. JUAN Yes, she is very happy. And you, Maria? Are you still working in the same company or did you change ftor a new one?

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very good! I just needed to change a couple of prepositions."

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits across from JUAN, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She looks at him with a mix of excitement and nervousness. MARIA I can't believe you are finally here in Mexico City! How is everything with your family? I heard your sister got married to a wonderful guy from Guadalajara. JUAN Yes, she is very happy. And you, Maria? Are you still working in the same company or did you change to a new one?

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits across from JUAN, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She looks at him with a mix of excitement and nervousness. MARIA I can't believe you are finally here in Mexico City! How is everything with your family? I heard your sister got married with a wonderful guy from Guadalajara. JUAN Yes, she is very happy. And you, Maria? Are you still working in the same company or did you change for a new one?

Mistake Example #2

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

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. JUAN enters, looking around until he spots her. He waves and approaches. JUAN Hola, Maria! I hamvemuchry hungery. Did you already order something? MARIA No, I was waiting for you. I havem 25 yearsold, but I still don't know what to choose from the menu. Everything looks so delicious!

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I just changed a few expressions to make the English sound more natural."

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. JUAN enters, looking around until he spots her. He waves and approaches. JUAN Hola, Maria! I am very hungry. Did you already order something? MARIA No, I was waiting for you. I am 25 years old, but I still don't know what to choose from the menu. Everything looks so delicious!

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. JUAN enters, looking around until he spots her. He waves and approaches. JUAN Hola, Maria! I have much hunger. Did you already order something? MARIA No, I was waiting for you. I have 25 years, but I still don't know what to choose from the menu. Everything looks so delicious!

Mistake Example #3

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

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY MARIA, a high school student, is sitting at her desk, talking to her friend LUIS. MARIA I've ambeen thinking about the test we arehavinge tomorrow. I've ambeen studying every night, but Ia'mfeeling nervous. YAnd, you know, I amgoing tothe school every day, and still, I amdono't understanding everything. LUIS I amknowing what you mean. I wams talking to the teacher after class, and she iwas saying we can do extra practice. Maybe we can study together later?.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some corrections for verb tense issues."

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY MARIA, a high school student, is sitting at her desk, talking to her friend LUIS. MARIA I've been thinking about the test we have tomorrow. I've been studying every night, but I'm nervous. And, you know, I go to school every day, and still, I don't understanding everything. LUIS I know what you mean. I was talking to the teacher after class, and she was saying we can do extra practice. Maybe we can study together later.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY MARIA, a high school student, is sitting at her desk, talking to her friend LUIS. MARIA I am thinking about the test we are having tomorrow. I am studying every night, but I am feeling nervous. You know, I am going to the school every day, and still, I am not understanding everything. LUIS I am knowing what you mean. I am talking to the teacher after class, and she is saying we can do extra practice. Maybe we can study together later?