Common English mistakes Spanish speakers make

Spanish and English share many words, which helps, but the grammar and sounds differ enough to cause mistakes that are easy to repeat. Most of them come from translating a Spanish sentence word for word.

"I have 20 years" and other word for word translations

In Spanish you have an age (tengo veinte años), so learners say "I have 20 years". The same happens with "I am agree" (estoy de acuerdo) and "make a photo".

Fix: English uses "be" for age and feelings ("I am 20", "I agree") and "take" for photos. Learn these as fixed phrases.

False friends

Some words look the same and mean something different. "Actually" means "in fact", not "currently". "Embarrassed" is not embarazada. "Library" is a place for books, not a bookshop. "Assist" means help, not attend.

Fix: keep a short list of the false friends you meet and test yourself on them.

Double negatives and dropped subjects

Spanish uses two negatives ("no tengo nada"), so learners say "I don't have nothing". Spanish also drops the subject, so you hear "Is raining" or "Is very expensive".

Fix: English uses one negative ("I don't have anything") and needs a subject in every sentence, including "it".

Adjective order and the extra "e"

Spanish puts most adjectives after the noun, giving "a house big". Spanish speakers also add an "e" before words that start with s and another consonant: "espeak", "estudent".

Fix: in English the adjective comes first, and words like "school" start directly with the s sound. Practise with a tutor who corrects both as you speak.

Common questions

Why do these mistakes continue after years of studying English?

Because Spanish and English look similar, learners trust translations that happen to be wrong, and the habit continues until someone points it out. Correction in live conversation is what breaks it.

What should I ask a tutor to focus on?

Ask for correction on word for word translations, false friends, double negatives and the extra "e" before s words in live conversation.