Common English Mistakes in Essay Writing Practices by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

In my last English class, I makedid a presentation about the importance of learning new languages. I doid a lot of research to prepare, but I makde some errors during my speech. My teacher said I need to do more practice to improve my skills.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I fixed some issues with do/did and make/made."

In my last English class, I did a presentation about the importance of learning new languages. I did a lot of research to prepare, but I made some errors during my speech. My teacher said I need to do more practice to improve my skills.

In my last English class, I make a presentation about the importance of learning new languages. I do a lot of research to prepare, but I make some errors during my speech. My teacher said I need to do more practice to improve my skills.

Mistake Example #2

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

In my opinion, the education system in Spain has many advantages, but it hasalsohas some areas that need improvement. For example, it hmakes sense to focus more on practical skills rather than only theoretical knowledge. Additionally, I believe that students should have more opportunities to study abroad because it makes them togrow, both personally and professionally.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I made a few changes so the English would flow more naturally. Nice work!"

In my opinion, the education system in Spain has many advantages, but it also has some areas that need improvement. For example, it makes sense to focus more on practical skills rather than only theoretical knowledge. Additionally, I believe that students should have more opportunities to study abroad because it makes them grow, both personally and professionally.

In my opinion, the education system in Spain has many advantages, but it has also some areas that need improvement. For example, it has sense to focus more on practical skills rather than only theoretical knowledge. Additionally, I believe that students should have more opportunities to study abroad because it makes them to grow personally and professionally.

Mistake Example #3

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

I hamve writiteng an essay about my favorite hobby, which is painting. I hamve lovinged to paint since I wams a child, and it is something that I hamve been doing every weekend. I amhavinge many paintings in my house, and I am always trying to improve my skills by practicing regularly.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Very nice! It just needed a few verb tense corrections."

I have written an essay about my favorite hobby, which is painting. I have loved to paint since I was a child, and it is something that I have been doing every weekend. I have many paintings in my house, and I am always trying to improve my skills by practicing regularly.

I am writing an essay about my favorite hobby, which is painting. I am loving to paint since I am a child, and it is something that I am doing every weekend. I am having many paintings in my house, and I am always trying to improve my skills by practicing regularly.