Common English Mistakes in Journal Entries by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

Today was a special day because my cousin got married witho her longtime boyfriend. The ceremony was beautiful, and I felt so happy to be part of it. After the wedding, we went to celebrate at a restaurant, and I talked with many friends I haven't seen in a while.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to correct prepositional phrasing."

Today was a special day because my cousin got married to her longtime boyfriend. The ceremony was beautiful, and I felt so happy to be part of it. After the wedding, we went to celebrate at a restaurant, and I talked with many friends I haven't seen in a while.

Today was a special day because my cousin got married with her longtime boyfriend. The ceremony was beautiful, and I felt so happy to be part of it. After the wedding, we went to celebrate at a restaurant, and I talked with many friends I haven't seen in a while.

Mistake Example #2

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

TI'm soday I feel very happy today because Ihave'm 25 yearsold and my family organized a surprise party for me.! We ate a lot of delicious food, and I received matonyof gifts that made me feel very loved. I hope to continue celebrating with my friends this weekend, and—I am very excited for what this new year of life will bring me.!

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to sound a bit more native and natural."

I'm so happy today because I'm 25 years old and my family organized a surprise party for me! We ate a lot of delicious food, and I received a ton of gifts that made me feel very loved. I hope to continue celebrating with my friends this weekend—I am very excited for what this new year of life will bring me!

Today I feel very happy because I have 25 years and my family organized a surprise party for me. We ate a lot of delicious food, and I received many gifts that made me feel very loved. I hope to continue celebrating with my friends this weekend, and I am very excited for what this new year of life will bring me.

Mistake Example #3

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

Today, I amfeeling very happy because I amget to going to the park every weekend with my friends. We areenjoying theour time there, and we areplaying soccer every afternoon. I amthinking that these moments aremakinge my life more exciting, and I amlearning new things every day.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Great job! Very few changes were needed to correct verb tense errors and polish your sentences. "

Today, I feel very happy because I get to go to the park every weekend with my friends. We enjoy our time there, and we play soccer every afternoon. I think that these moments make my life more exciting, and I learn new things every day.

Today, I am feeling very happy because I am going to the park every weekend with my friends. We are enjoying the time there and we are playing soccer every afternoon. I am thinking that these moments are making my life more exciting and I am learning new things every day.