Common English Mistakes in Sentence Structure Guides by Spanish Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Spanish speakers from Spain when writing a Sentence Structure Guide in English.

Mistake Example #1

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

When you write in English, it is important to know when to use 'do' and 'make'. For example, you domake a decision when you choose between two options, butand you make a mistake if you choose the wrong one. In daily life, youdo exercise to stay healthy, and you make a cake for a birthday celebration. Understanding these differences will help you improve your English writing skills.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for correct word usage."

When you write in English, it is important to know when to use 'do' and 'make'. For example, you make a decision when you choose between two options and you make a mistake if you choose the wrong one. In daily life, you exercise to stay healthy, and you make a cake for a birthday celebration. Understanding these differences will help you improve your English writing skills.

When you write in English, it is important to know when to use 'do' and 'make'. For example, you do a decision when you choose between two options, but you make a mistake if you choose the wrong one. In daily life, you do exercise to stay healthy, and you make a cake for a birthday celebration. Understanding these differences will help you improve your English writing skills.

Mistake Example #2

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

When you are writing a sentence in English, it is important to choose the correct tense. For example, if you arewanting to describe your experience, you mightmistakenly say, "I am having 30 years of experience in teaching English." However, ithe correct is more accuphrate tosing uses the present simple tenseand say,: "I have 30 years of experience in teaching English." Remember, the present continuous tenseis used for actions happening right now, not for stating facts or general truths.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for proper use of the present continuous tense, among other fixes."

When you are writing a sentence in English, it is important to choose the correct tense. For example, if you want to describe your experience, you might mistakenly say, "I am having 30 years of experience in teaching English." However, the correct phrasing uses the present simple tense: "I have 30 years of experience in teaching English." Remember, the present continuous tense is used for actions happening right now, not for stating facts or general truths.

When you are writing a sentence in English, it is important to choose the correct tense. For example, if you are wanting to describe your experience, you might say, "I am having 30 years of experience in teaching English." However, it is more accurate to use the present simple tense and say, "I have 30 years of experience in teaching English." Remember, the present continuous is used for actions happening right now, not for stating facts or general truths.

Mistake Example #3

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

When you write a sentence in English, it is important that it hmakes sense and is clear. For example, if you want to expressay that something is logical, you can say "It makes sense" instead of "It has sense." Also, remember that in English, we often use the verb "to be" differently than in Spanish, so pay attention to how Englishsentences are structured.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Nice work! I made a few minor tweaks so the English would read more naturally."

When you write a sentence in English, it is important that it makes sense and is clear. For example, if you want to say that something is logical, you can say "It makes sense" instead of "It has sense." Also, remember that in English, we often use the verb "to be" differently than in Spanish, so pay attention to how English sentences are structured.

When you write a sentence in English, it is important that it has sense and is clear. For example, if you want to express that something is logical, you can say "It makes sense" instead of "It has sense." Also, remember that in English, we often use the verb "to be" differently than in Spanish, so pay attention to how sentences are structured.