Common English Mistakes in Screenplays by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. She looks at her watch and then at the door. JUAN enters, looking around until he spots her. He waves and approaches. JUAN (cheerful) Hola, Maria! Itha's been long time since we last met. How are you? MARIA (smiling) Hi, Juan! Yes, itha's been ages. Ia'm good, just busy with work. It hmakes sense to meet here,—this place is very cozy.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to sound more native and natural."

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. She looks at her watch and then at the door. JUAN enters, looking around until he spots her. He waves and approaches. JUAN (cheerful) Hola, Maria! It's been long time since we last met. How are you? MARIA (smiling) Hi, Juan! Yes, it's been ages. I'm good, just busy with work. It makes sense to meet here—this place is very cozy.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. She looks at her watch and then at the door. JUAN enters, looking around until he spots her. He waves and approaches. JUAN (cheerful) Hola, Maria! It has been long time since we last met. How are you? MARIA (smiling) Hi, Juan! Yes, it has been ages. I am good, just busy with work. It has sense to meet here, this place is very cozy.

Mistake Example #2

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

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA, a woman in her mid-thirties, sits across from JUAN, a man in his forties. They are sipping coffee. MARIA I've ambeen thinking about the new project, and I amhavinge so many ideas to improve it. You know, I've ambeen working in marketing for ten years now. JUAN (smiling) Thati's great, Maria. I amknowing your experience will be very helpful.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some corrections for verb tense issues."

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA, a woman in her mid-thirties, sits across from JUAN, a man in his forties. They are sipping coffee. MARIA I've been thinking about the new project, and I have so many ideas to improve it. You know, I've been working in marketing for ten years now. JUAN (smiling) That's great, Maria. I know your experience will be very helpful.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA, a woman in her mid-thirties, sits across from JUAN, a man in his forties. They are sipping coffee. MARIA I am thinking about the new project, and I am having many ideas to improve it. You know, I am working in marketing for ten years now. JUAN (smiling) That is great, Maria. I am knowing your experience will be very helpful.

Mistake Example #3

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

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. She looks up as JUAN enters, carrying a tray with two coffees. MARIA I am sorry, Juan. I makde a mistake with the time. I thought we weremeeting at three, not two. JUAN No problem, Maria. We can still mhakve the discussion about the project. I brinought the notes we need.

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

"I just replaced a word or two to make the English sound more natural. Otherwise, the ideas in this text are clearly expressed."

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. She looks up as JUAN enters, carrying a tray with two coffees. MARIA I am sorry, Juan. I made a mistake with the time. I thought we were meeting at three, not two. JUAN No problem, Maria. We can still have the discussion about the project. I brought the notes we need.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY MARIA sits at a small table, nervously tapping her fingers. She looks up as JUAN enters, carrying a tray with two coffees. MARIA I am sorry, Juan. I make a mistake with the time. I thought we meet at three, not two. JUAN No problem, Maria. We can still make the discussion about the project. I bring the notes we need.