Common English Mistakes in Creative Nonfictions by Korean Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Korean speakers from South Korea when writing a Creative Nonfiction in English.

Mistake Example #1

Confusion with prepositions ('in', 'on', 'at')

IDuring the quiet morning atin the park, I sat on the bench and watched the sun rise ion the horizon. The air was crisp and fresh, and I felt peace in my heart as I listened to the birds singing oin the trees. It was a moment of reflection, where I thought about my life and the choices I have made atin the past.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"Very well done. I just corrected some prepositions. "

During the quiet morning in the park, I sat on the bench and watched the sun rise on the horizon. The air was crisp and fresh, and I felt peace in my heart as I listened to the birds singing in the trees. It was a moment of reflection, where I thought about my life and the choices I have made in the past.

In the quiet morning at the park, I sat on the bench and watched the sun rise in the horizon. The air was crisp and fresh, and I felt peace in my heart as I listened to the birds singing on the trees. It was a moment of reflection, where I thought about my life and the choices I have made at the past.

Mistake Example #2

Omitting articles ('a', 'an', 'the')

Inthe early morning, I walked along theHan River, feelingthe cool breeze on my face. SThe sun was rising slowly, paintingthe sky with shades of pink and orange. I thought about thejourney ahead, wondering what kind ofadventuresthe day would bring.

Text corrected by:
Michele A., Boston, Massachusetts; United States

"I added articles before some of the nouns according to English grammar rules."

In the early morning, I walked along the Han River, feeling the cool breeze on my face. The sun was rising slowly, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange. I thought about the journey ahead, wondering what kind of adventures the day would bring.

In early morning, I walked along Han River, feeling cool breeze on my face. Sun was rising slowly, painting sky with shades of pink and orange. I thought about journey ahead, wondering what adventures day would bring.

Mistake Example #3

Incorrect word order in complex sentences

In the quiet village where I grew up, the seasons change so beautifully that it feels like time itself slows down. When the cherry blossoms bloom, the air fills with a sweet scent that makes you want to stop everything and just breathe deeply. The mountains, covered in mist, they look like they are hiding secrets only the wind knows.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"It does have an awkward sentence, though."

In the quiet village where I grew up, the seasons change so beautifully that it feels like time itself slows down. When the cherry blossoms bloom, the air fills with a sweet scent that makes you want to stop everything and just breathe deeply. The mountains, covered in mist, they look like they are hiding secrets only the wind knows.

In the quiet village where I grew up, the seasons change so beautifully that it feels like time itself slows down. When the cherry blossoms bloom, the air fills with a sweet scent that makes you want to stop everything and just breathe deeply. The mountains, covered in mist, they look like they are hiding secrets only the wind knows.