Common English Mistakes in Flash Fictions by Slovak Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

Struggles with perfect tenses ('I am here since three years')

In the quiet village of Liptov, Jana has been waiting for the mysterious letter. She ihasbeen here sincefor two weeks, watching the postman pass by her window every morning. The anticipation grows like the wildflowers in the fields, and she wonders if the letter will ever arrive, bringing the news she has been hoping for.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I just fixed a verb tense issue in the second sentence. Well done!"

In the quiet village of Liptov, Jana has been waiting for the mysterious letter. She has been here for two weeks, watching the postman pass by her window every morning. The anticipation grows like the wildflowers in the fields, and she wonders if the letter will ever arrive, bringing the news she has been hoping for.

In the quiet village of Liptov, Jana has been waiting for the mysterious letter. She is here since two weeks, watching the postman pass by her window every morning. The anticipation grows like the wildflowers in the fields, and she wonders if the letter will ever arrive, bringing the news she has been hoping for.

Mistake Example #2

Incorrect placement of adjectives ('The car red' instead of 'The red car')

The sun was setting behind the tallmountainshigh, casting long shadows longover the quietvillagequiet. In the smallgardensmall, the girlyounggirl played with her dogloyaldog, laughing as they chased tha red ballred. Herwise grandmotherwise watched from the porchwoodenporch, smiling at the joysimplejoy of the warmeveningwarm.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Great job! Very few changes were needed to put adjectives before the nouns they describe. "

The sun was setting behind the tall mountains, casting long shadows over the quiet village. In the small garden, the young girl played with her loyal dog, laughing as they chased a red ball. Her wise grandmother watched from the wooden porch, smiling at the simple joy of the warm evening.

The sun was setting behind the mountains high, casting shadows long over the village quiet. In the garden small, the girl young played with her dog loyal, laughing as they chased the ball red. Her grandmother wise watched from the porch wooden, smiling at the joy simple of the evening warm.

Mistake Example #3

Omitting 'it' as a subject in dummy subject sentences ('Is raining' instead of 'It is raining')

Dark clouds gathered over the small village, and soon,it was thundering loudly. People hurried inside, closing windows and doors, while children laughed and played in the puddles. In the distance, youcould see the old castle on the hill, standing strong against the storm.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"This was a very vivid scene! I just added the subject to some of the phrases."

Dark clouds gathered over the small village, and soon, it was thundering loudly. People hurried inside, closing windows and doors, while children laughed and played in the puddles. In the distance, you could see the old castle on the hill, standing strong against the storm.

Dark clouds gathered over the small village, and soon, was thundering loudly. People hurried inside, closing windows and doors, while children laughed and played in the puddles. In the distance, could see the old castle on the hill, standing strong against the storm.