Common English Mistakes in Reference Letters by Spanish Speakers

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

Mistake Example #1

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

To Whom It May Concern,:I am writing to highly recommend Maria for the position at your company. During her time with us, she consistently makedid an excellent job and madoe significant contributions to our projects. I am confident that she will dobe a great addition to your team and make a positive impact.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Overall your writing was very professional; it just needed a few tweaks to make things consistent. Good job!"

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to highly recommend Maria for the position at your company. During her time with us, she consistently did an excellent job and made significant contributions to our projects. I am confident that she will be a great addition to your team and make a positive impact.

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to highly recommend Maria for the position at your company. During her time with us, she consistently make an excellent job and do significant contributions to our projects. I am confident that she will do a great addition to your team and make a positive impact.

Mistake Example #2

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

To wWhom iIt mMay cConcern, I am writing to recommend Maria for the position of Mmarketing Mmanager. I hamve knowing Maria for over ten years, and Iam've seeing her dedication and hard work in every project shei's handlinged. Sheis always brcomes up wingingth innovative ideas and iswould being a great asset to any team.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking for proper verb tenses, among other fixes."

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to recommend Maria for the position of marketing manager. I have known Maria for over ten years, and I've seen her dedication and hard work in every project she's handled. She always comes up with innovative ideas and would be a great asset to any team.

To whom it may concern, I am writing to recommend Maria for the position of Marketing Manager. I am knowing Maria for over ten years, and I am seeing her dedication and hard work in every project she is handling. She is always bringing innovative ideas and is being a great asset to any team.

Mistake Example #3

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

To whom it may concern, I am writing this letter to recommend Maria for the position in your company. She is a very dedicated worker and it hmakes sense to me that she will be a great asset to your team. Her ability to manage projects and lead teams is something that always impresses me.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"This is well-written - it's just this part: "it has sense to me" should be "it makes sense to me"."

To whom it may concern, I am writing this letter to recommend Maria for the position in your company. She is a very dedicated worker and it makes sense to me that she will be a great asset to your team. Her ability to manage projects and lead teams is something that always impresses me.

To whom it may concern, I am writing this letter to recommend Maria for the position in your company. She is a very dedicated worker and it has sense to me that she will be a great asset to your team. Her ability to manage projects and lead teams is something that always impresses me.