Common English Mistakes in Personal Statements by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

I am excited to apply ftor the Master's program in Environmental Science at your esteemed university. Growing up in Mexico, I have always been fascinated with nature and its preservation. I am comarrmitted witho my passion for environmental conservation, and I believe this program will help me achieve my career goals.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I changed some prepositions, plus a few other words, to make the English sound correct and natural."

I am excited to apply to the Master's program in Environmental Science at your esteemed university. Growing up in Mexico, I have always been fascinated with nature and its preservation. I am committed to my passion for environmental conservation, and I believe this program will help me achieve my career goals.

I am excited to apply for the Master's program in Environmental Science at your esteemed university. Growing up in Mexico, I have always been fascinated with nature and its preservation. I am married with my passion for environmental conservation, and I believe this program will help me achieve my career goals.

Mistake Example #2

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

I am very excited to apply for the Master's program in Environmental Science at your esteemed university. I havem 25 years oldandhave a strong passion for protecting the environment, which I developed during my studies in Mexico. My dream is to contribute to sustainable solutions that can help our planet, and I believe your program is the perfect place to achieve this goal.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"I have corrected the expression for giving one's age. Looks very good otherwise!"

I am very excited to apply for the Master's program in Environmental Science at your esteemed university. I am 25 years old and have a strong passion for protecting the environment, which I developed during my studies in Mexico. My dream is to contribute to sustainable solutions that can help our planet, and I believe your program is the perfect place to achieve this goal.

I am very excited to apply for the Master's program in Environmental Science at your esteemed university. I have 25 years and a strong passion for protecting the environment, which I developed during my studies in Mexico. My dream is to contribute to sustainable solutions that can help our planet, and I believe your program is the perfect place to achieve this goal.

Mistake Example #3

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

I am writing mythis personal statement because I amwanting to study at your university. I ambelievinge that your program is the best fit for my interests, and I amhopinge to contribute to the community by sharing my culture from Mexico. I hamve been learning English for many years, and I am excited to furtherimprove my skillsfurther.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some changes to correct overuse of the present continuous tense, among other fixes."

I am writing this personal statement because I want to study at your university. I believe that your program is the best fit for my interests, and I hope to contribute to the community by sharing my culture from Mexico. I have been learning English for many years, and I am excited to further improve my skills.

I am writing my personal statement because I am wanting to study at your university. I am believing that your program is the best fit for my interests, and I am hoping to contribute to the community by sharing my culture from Mexico. I am learning English for many years, and I am excited to improve my skills further.