M is for Common Mistakes!
As you’ve studied English, you have probably noticed many similarities between English and Spanish. This is absolutely true. There are things we can translate directly from Spanish into English and they will mean the same. There are grammar structures that are also the same.
But this similarity can be a trap! Because while there are many similar things, there are also many, many very different things between the two languages. And these differences can often lead to mistakes.
In today’s blog – M is for Mistakes - let’s have a look at some of the most common mistakes we make as Spanish speakers so we can avoid them in the future.
Let's get started on eliminating some common mistakes!
1. Not including the subject
In English we almost always have to have a subject (proper noun or pronoun).
It is raining / It is late. / There is a problem.
Is raining / Is late / Is a problem
2. Overusing “I have” – especially for ages, feelings and states.
I am 30. / He is cold. / We are lucky.
I have 30 / He has cold / We have luck.
3. The word order with adjectives.
In English the adjective comes before the noun (not after).
A big house. / Two red cars.
A house big. / Two reds cars.
4. Using the word actually incorrectly
This is an example of a false friend, where we think that the words mean the same in Spanish as in English. Actually means “really” or “in reality”. It has nothing to do with time!
I expected the exam to be easy, but it was actually quite difficult.
Currently, I am working in a different office.
Actually, I am working in a different office.
5. Other False friends in general
False friends are tricky because as a Spanish speaker you think that they mean one thing and in reality, they mean something very different. There are many false friends (also known as false cognates) that you have to study, but here are some common ones.
Library ≠ libreria library = biblioteca bookshop = librería
Assist ≠ asistir assist = help attend = asistir
Sensible ≠ sensible sensible = sensato sensitive = sensible
Discussion ≠ discusión discussion = conversation argument = discusión
And many more!
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6. Using the Spanish collocation in English
As you know, a collocation is the combination of words. Words that are naturally put together (both in English and in Spanish).
Fuertes lluvias = heavy rain
Tocar el piano = play the piano
Prestar Atención = pay attention
7. Make and Do
A big confusion for Spanish speakers is the verbs “Make” and “Do” since both are translated into Spanish as “hacer”. But they each collocate very differently.
Things we do: do business / do work / do something / do yoga / do the shopping / etc.
Things we make: make lunch / make plans / make a mistake / make a suggestion / etc.
8. Overusing the article “the”
Spanish uses the definite article more than English, especially for general ideas – so be careful!
Life is beautiful. / I love music / English is difficult.
The life is beautiful. / I love the music / The English is difficult.
9. Differences in some countable and uncountable nouns
Most countable and uncountable nouns are the same in both Spanish and English, but there are a few that are different.
Uncountable in English: furniture / advice / news
Countable in Spanish: muebles / consejos / noticias
10. Using the wrong preposition
Prepositions are small but very tricky words! It’s perfectly understandable to make mistakes, but be careful!
English: depend on / married to / good at / think of / think about
Not correct in English: depend of / married with / good in / think in
10. Bonus
In Spanish, words don’t start with “sp”. In Spanish, these words will start with “esp” and when speaking in English we automatically add that extra sound.
Spanish people tend to say:
Espain instead of Spain
Espanish instead of Spanish
Espicy instead of spicy.
This mistake is quite common, and while it won’t necessarily interfere with your communication, you will sound very Spanglish! Practice saying these words out loud and try your best to eliminate that extra “e” sound!
Conclusion
Making mistakes is a normal and necessary part of learning a language. The key is to notice patterns: most of these errors come from translating word for word from Spanish.
Pick one or two from this list that sound familiar, and focus on them for a week. Check your writing for them, listen for them in native speakers, and soon the correct forms will feel natural.
Which of these do you make most often? Let us know in the comments, and tell us what you would like to see in the next post!
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