Common English Mistakes in Email Practices by Spanish Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Spanish speakers from Spain when writing a Email Practice in English.

Mistake Example #1

Misuse of present continuous ('I am having 30 years of experience' instead of 'I have 30 years of experience')

Subject: Inquiry About Job Opportunity Dear Mr. Smith, I am writing to express my interest in the position advertised on your website. I amhavinge a strong background in marketing and I am having10 yearsof' experience in the industry. I ambelievinge that my skills and dedication make me a suitable candidate for this role. Please let me know if you areneeding any further information from my side. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Carlos García

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for the proper use of present continuous tense."

Subject: Inquiry About Job Opportunity Dear Mr. Smith, I am writing to express my interest in the position advertised on your website. I have a strong background in marketing and 10 years' experience in the industry. I believe that my skills and dedication make me a suitable candidate for this role. Please let me know if you need any further information from my side. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Carlos García

Subject: Inquiry About Job Opportunity Dear Mr. Smith, I am writing to express my interest in the position advertised on your website. I am having a strong background in marketing and I am having 10 years of experience in the industry. I am believing that my skills and dedication make me a suitable candidate for this role. Please let me know if you are needing any further information from my side. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Carlos García

Mistake Example #2

Confusion between 'do' and 'make' ('I make a mistake' instead of 'I made a mistake')

Subject: Request for Assistance Hello Maria, I hope you are well. I am writing to ask if you can help me with the report. I need to makedo some research and domake a presentation for the meeting next week. I am not sure how to make it correctly, and your advice would be very helpful. Thank you for your time and support. Best regards, Carlos

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Very good! Just a couple of changes to use "do" and "make" in the correct spots. "

Subject: Request for Assistance Hello Maria, I hope you are well. I am writing to ask if you can help me with the report. I need to do some research and make a presentation for the meeting next week. I am not sure how to make it correctly, and your advice would be very helpful. Thank you for your time and support. Best regards, Carlos

Subject: Request for Assistance Hello Maria, I hope you are well. I am writing to ask if you can help me with the report. I need to make some research and do a presentation for the meeting next week. I am not sure how to make it correctly, and your advice would be very helpful. Thank you for your time and support. Best regards, Carlos

Mistake Example #3

Direct translations from Spanish ('It makes sense' vs. 'It has sense')

Hello Maria,I hope you are well. I amwriteing to you because I have asome doubts about the project. IDoes it hmaske sense to meet tomorrow to discuss the details? I think it is important to clarify some points before we continue. Thank you and I await your response.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I just changed some of the words to make the English sound more natural."

Hello Maria, I hope you are well. I am writing to you because I have some doubts about the project. Does it make sense to meet tomorrow to discuss the details? I think it is important to clarify some points before we continue. Thank you and I await your response.

Hello Maria, I hope you are well. I write to you because I have a doubt about the project. It has sense to meet tomorrow to discuss the details? I think it is important to clarify some points before we continue. Thank you and I wait your response.