Common Mistakes in English by Native Spanish Speakers

For native Spanish speakers learning English, certain errors tend to appear frequently due to differences in grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary between the two languages. Understanding these common mistakes in English by native Spanish speakers is essential for improving fluency and communication skills. As an experienced English teacher with knowledge of Spanish learners’ challenges, I will guide you through the most frequent errors in speaking, writing, and listening, along with practical examples and corrections. 

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Common Mistakes in English by Native Spanish Speakers: Speaking Errors

Speaking in English can be challenging for native Spanish speakers due to differences in pronunciation, sentence structure, and false cognates. Below are some of the most frequent speaking mistakes with corrections.

1. Pronouncing Words as They Are Written

• Mistake: “I have twenty years” instead of “I am twenty years old.”
• Explanation: In Spanish, age is expressed with the verb “tener” (to have), while in English, we use “to be.”
• Corrected Sentence: “I am twenty years old.”

2. Adding an Extra Vowel Sound Before “S”

• Mistake: “Especial” instead of “Special.”
• Explanation: Spanish words cannot start with an “s” followed by a consonant, so native speakers often add an “e” sound.
• Corrected Pronunciation: “Special” (without the “e” at the beginning).

3. Mixing Up “Do” and “Make”

• Mistake: “I do a party” instead of “I make a party.”
• Explanation: In English, “make” is used for creating something, while “do” is used for actions or tasks.
• Corrected Sentence: “I make a party” should be “I throw a party.”

Common Mistakes in English by Native Spanish Speakers: Writing Errors

Writing mistakes are common for Spanish speakers learning English, particularly with grammar, punctuation, and word order.

1. Overuse of Commas Instead of Periods

• Mistake: “I went to the store, I bought some milk, I came home.”
• Explanation: In Spanish, long sentences with multiple commas are common, but in English, shorter sentences with periods are preferred.
• Corrected Sentence: “I went to the store. I bought some milk. I came home.”

2. Incorrect Use of Capitalization

• Mistake: “monday” instead of “Monday.”
• Explanation: In Spanish, days of the week and months are not capitalized, but in English, they always are.
• Corrected Sentence: “Monday” (with a capital “M”).

3. Direct Translation of Spanish Structures

• Mistake: “The people is happy” instead of “The people are happy.”
• Explanation: “People” is plural in English, even though “la gente” (its Spanish equivalent) is singular.
• Corrected Sentence: “The people are happy.”

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Common Mistakes in English by Native Spanish Speakers: Listening Errors

Listening comprehension can be difficult due to differences in sounds, sentence rhythm, and homophones.

1. Confusing Similar-Sounding Words

• Mistake: Confusing “sheet” with “shit.”
• Explanation: The vowel sounds in English can change the meaning of a word completely.
• Tip: Practice minimal pairs like “ship” vs. “sheep” and “sheet” vs. “sit.”

2. Misunderstanding Contractions

• Mistake: Hearing “he’s” as “his.”
• Explanation: English contractions (he’s, it’s, you’re) can sound like possessive pronouns (his, its, your) to Spanish speakers.
• Tip: Listen carefully and practice distinguishing contractions from possessives.

3. Struggling with Fast Speech

• Mistake: “What did you do?” sounds like “Wha’cha do?”
• Explanation: Native English speakers often reduce and blend sounds, making it hard to understand.
• Tip: Listen to natural speech through podcasts, movies, and conversations to train your ear.

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Final Thoughts

By recognizing and correcting these common mistakes in English by native Spanish speakers, learners can improve their fluency and confidence. Whether it’s refining pronunciation, adjusting grammar in writing, or training the ear to understand fast speech, consistent practice and awareness of these errors will lead to better communication skills. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—learning from them is part of the journey to mastering English! 

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This article was written by Bryce Purnell founder of Learn Laugh Speak.