COMMON ENGLISH MISTAKES OF NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKERS

By Alejandra Basulto

MISUSE OF "HAVE"
Wrong: I haven't a pen. Correct: I don't have a pen. This mistake comes from the correct idiomatic phrase I haven't got a pen. Better to use the structure of the present tense which requires doesn't/don't. Have and has are auxiliaries in the present perfect only.

"PEOPLE" AS A SINGULAR NOUN

Wrong: The people is very angry at the tax increase. Correct: People are very angry at the tax increase. Students translate "people" which is plural in English as "gente" which is singular in Spanish.

ARTICLE CONFUSION
Wrong: The people use a lot of credit cards. Right: People use a lot of credit cards. The definite article is not used when speaking generally.

WHICH AND WHAT CONFUSION

Which and What are not always interchangeable. If the choice is in front of you, use which: I have two kinds of fizz sprite and ginger ale Which one do you want? If the choice is more abstract, use what: What kind of fizz do you like?

WHICH AND WHAT CONFUSION

Wrong: I want that you open the door. Right: I want you to open the door. In Spanish, Quiero que abras la puerta, que subordinates the clause. In English we use an infinitive phrase.

It depends of
Wrong: I can see you, but it depends of my time. Right: I can see you, but it depends on my time.
The tendency is to directly translate a preposition, and many times this creates confusion.

call to / ask to
Wrong: I will call to my mother and ask to her if she is coming.
Right: I will call my mother and ask her if she is coming. This one is also a direct translation.

I am agree
Wrong: I am agree with you. Right: I agree with you. Agree is a verb in English. It does not need an auxiliary. The confusion again comes from translation Estoy de acuerdo contigo.

FALSE FRIENDS OR FALSE COGNATES

Se denominan false friends (falsos amigos) o false cognates (falsos cognados) a las palabras que por escribirse de la misma forma o similar en espaol son confundidas, pero que en realidad en ingls significan otra cosa.

COGNADO-UNO
Conferencia

lectura

reading

COGNADO-DOS
Dibujos animados

CARTOON

Cartn

Cardboard

COGNADO-TRES

MISERY

Miseria
Tristeza

Poverty

COGNADO-CUATRO
Cena

DINNER

Dinero

Money

COGNADO-CINCO
Tela o Tejido

FABRIC

Fbrica

Factory

COGNADO-SEIS
Concurso

CONTEST

Contestar

answer

COGNADO-SIETE
Alfombra

CARPET Carpeta

Folder

COGNADO-OCHO
Maldicin

CURSE Curso

THE END

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOU ATTENTION. MUCHAS GRACIAS POR SU ATENCIN.