Do you sometimes say “I have 25 years,” “I am agree,” or “people is”? These mistakes are common among Spanish-speaking English learners because English and Spanish use different grammar rules, expressions, and pronunciation patterns.
The good news is that most of these errors are easy to improve once you recognize the pattern behind them. This guide covers common English mistakes Spanish speakers make, explains why they happen, and gives you practical examples to help you speak and write more naturally.
Learning English as a Spanish speaker has many advantages. Both languages share thousands of words with Latin roots, and some sentence structures are similar. However, these similarities can also cause confusion when a word looks familiar but works differently in English.
Whether you are preparing for a job interview, improving your business English, studying for an English exam, or trying to feel more confident in conversations, understanding these mistakes can help you communicate more clearly.
1. Common English Grammar Mistakes Spanish Speakers Make
Mistake 1: Using “Have” Instead of “Be” for Age
Incorrect: “I have 30 years.”
Correct: “I am 30 years old.”
In Spanish, you say “Tengo 30 años.” English expresses age with the verb to be, not to have.
More examples:
- “She is 18 years old.”
- “How old are you?”
- “My brother is 42.”
Memory tip: Whenever you talk about age in English, think “I am,” “you are,” or “she is.”
Mistake 2: Saying “I Am Agree”
Incorrect: “I am agree with you.”
Correct: “I agree with you.”
Agree is a verb in English. It does not need the verb to be in this sentence. Spanish speakers may make this mistake because of expressions such as “Estoy de acuerdo.”
Use these natural expressions:
- “I agree with your opinion.”
- “I completely agree.”
- “I don’t agree with that decision.”
- “I agree that we need more time.”
Mistake 3: Forgetting “Do” and “Does” in Questions
Incorrect: “You like coffee?”
Standard question: “Do you like coffee?”
Incorrect: “Where she lives?”
Correct: “Where does she live?”
In standard English questions in the present simple, use do or does with most main verbs. The main verb remains in its base form after does.
- “Do they work here?”
- “Does he speak English?”
- “What time does the store open?”
Remember that you do not use do in the same way with the verb to be: “Are you ready?” and “Is she at home?” are correct.
Mistake 4: Confusing “People Is” and “People Are”
Incorrect: “People is friendly here.”
Correct: “People are friendly here.”
People is normally plural when it means human beings in general, so it takes a plural verb.
- “People are waiting outside.”
- “Many people speak more than one language.”
- “The people in this neighborhood are helpful.”
Compare this with a person is: “One person is waiting outside.”
Mistake 5: Using “The” With Every Noun
Often incorrect: “The life is beautiful.”
More natural: “Life is beautiful.”
Incorrect in a general statement: “The dogs are loyal animals.”
More natural: “Dogs are loyal animals.”
English and Spanish use articles differently. In English, plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns often take no article when used in general statements.
Compare:
- “I love music.” — music in general.
- “I love the music in this movie.” — specific music.
- “Children need sleep.” — children in general.
- “The children are sleeping.” — specific children.
Mistake 6: Forgetting the Subject
Incorrect: “Is raining.”
Correct: “It is raining.”
Incorrect: “Is important to practice.”
Correct: “It is important to practice.”
Spanish often allows the subject pronoun to be omitted. English usually requires an explicit subject in a complete sentence, even when it does not refer to a particular object.
Useful examples include “It’s late,” “It’s cold today,” and “It takes time to learn a language.”
2. Common English Verb Mistakes
Mistake 7: Confusing the Present Simple and Present Continuous
Incorrect for a usual habit: “I am working every day.”
Usually better: “I work every day.”
For an activity happening now: “I am working right now.”
Use the present simple for habits, routines, and general facts. Use the present continuous for actions happening now or around the present period.
| Meaning | Correct example |
|---|---|
| Daily habit | “She studies English every evening.” |
| Action happening now | “She is studying English now.” |
| General fact | “Water boils at 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure.” |
| Temporary situation | “I’m staying with a friend this week.” |
Mistake 8: Using the Past Tense After “Did”
Incorrect: “Did you went to work?”
Correct: “Did you go to work?”
Incorrect: “I didn’t understood.”
Correct: “I didn’t understand.”
When did or didn’t marks the past tense, the main verb uses its base form.
- “Did she call you?”
- “We didn’t see the message.”
- “Why did they leave early?”
Do not apply this rule to the verb to be in the past: “Were you tired?” and “She wasn’t at home” are correct.
Mistake 9: Confusing “Since” and “For”
Incorrect: “I have lived here since five years.”
Correct: “I have lived here for five years.”
Use for with a duration and since with the starting point.
- “I’ve studied English for three months.”
- “I’ve studied English since January.”
- “She has worked here for ten years.”
- “She has worked here since 2016.”
Both words can appear with different tenses depending on context, but the duration-versus-starting-point distinction is a useful starting rule.
Mistake 10: Confusing “Make” and “Do”
Spanish often uses hacer for both meanings, but English has common combinations that use either make or do.
| Use MAKE | Use DO |
|---|---|
| Make a decision | Do homework |
| Make a mistake | Do business |
| Make a reservation | Do the dishes |
| Make money | Do your best |
| Make progress | Do exercise / do some exercise |
These are common collocations, so learn them as complete phrases instead of trying to translate hacer each time.
Mistake 11: Confusing “Say” and “Tell”
Incorrect: “She said me the answer.”
Correct: “She told me the answer.”
Also correct: “She said the answer was correct.”
Use tell when you normally mention the person receiving information directly after the verb. Use say to focus on the words spoken.
- “He told me a story.”
- “She said hello.”
- “I told him that I was busy.”
- “They said they would arrive later.”
3. False Friends: English Words That Confuse Spanish Speakers
False friends are words that look or sound similar in two languages but have different meanings. They are especially tricky because they can make an incorrect sentence seem perfectly reasonable.
| English word | Common confusion | Actual meaning and example |
|---|---|---|
| Actually | Actualmente | Means “in fact” or “really.” Example: “Actually, I prefer tea.” |
| Currently | Confused with “actually” | Means “at the present time.” Example: “I’m currently looking for a job.” |
| Assist | Asistir | Usually means “help.” Example: “Can you assist me?” |
| Attend | Confused with “assist” | Means to be present at an event or class. Example: “I attended the meeting.” |
| Embarrassed | Embarazada | Means feeling awkward or ashamed. Example: “I felt embarrassed.” |
| Pregnant | Confused with “embarrassed” | Means expecting a baby. Example: “She is pregnant.” |
| Library | Librería | A place to borrow or read books. A bookstore is where you buy books. |
| Bookstore | Confused with “library” | A shop that sells books. Example: “I bought a novel at the bookstore.” |
| Exit | Éxito | Means a way out. “Success” is the English word for éxito. |
| Success | Confused with “exit” | Means achieving a desired result. Example: “The project was a success.” |
| Sensible | Sensible in the Spanish sense of sensitive | Usually means reasonable or practical. “Sensitive” often means easily affected emotionally or physically. |
| Large | Largo | Means big in size. “Long” usually describes length or duration. |
4. Preposition Mistakes Spanish Speakers Often Make
Prepositions rarely match perfectly between English and Spanish. In many cases, the best solution is to learn the complete expression.
Mistake 12: Saying “Depend of”
Incorrect: “It depends of the weather.”
Correct: “It depends on the weather.”
Use depend on in standard English.
- “It depends on the price.”
- “Our plans depend on the weather.”
- “The result depends on how much you practice.”
Mistake 13: Using “Married With” Instead of “Married To”
Incorrect: “She is married with John.”
Correct: “She is married to John.”
Use married to someone when describing a marriage. However, with is correct in other constructions, such as “She is married with two children” in some varieties of English, where it means she is married and has two children. For a simple statement about a spouse, use married to.
Mistake 14: Saying “Listen Music”
Incorrect: “I listen music every day.”
Correct: “I listen to music every day.”
The verb listen normally takes the preposition to before the thing you hear.
- “Listen to the teacher.”
- “I like listening to podcasts.”
- “She listens to music while working.”
Mistake 15: Confusing “Good At” and “Good In”
“I’m good at mathematics.”
“She’s good at speaking English.”
“He’s good in class.” — possible when describing performance or behavior in class.
For skills and activities, good at is the usual pattern. Learn common combinations such as interested in, afraid of, proud of, and responsible for.
Mistake 16: Saying “Explain Me”
Incorrect: “Can you explain me the problem?”
Correct: “Can you explain the problem to me?”
In this construction, explain takes the thing being explained before the phrase with to.
- “Please explain the rules to us.”
- “Could you explain this word to me?”
- “She explained how the system works.”
5. Pronunciation Mistakes That Can Affect Understanding
You do not need to eliminate your accent to speak English well. The goal is to pronounce words clearly enough that listeners can understand you. Spanish-speaking learners may find certain English sounds, stress patterns, and consonant combinations unfamiliar.
Pronunciation Challenge 1: The “TH” Sounds
English has two common sounds written as th: the unvoiced sound in think and the voiced sound in this. These sounds are not used in exactly the same way across Spanish varieties.
Practice set: think, three, thank, this, that, those.
Place the tip of your tongue lightly between your teeth and let the air flow. For this, add voice; for think, do not vibrate your vocal cords.
Pronunciation Challenge 2: The “B” and “V” Difference
In most English accents, b and v represent different sounds. Spanish speakers whose variety pronounces these letters similarly may need extra practice distinguishing them.
Practice pairs: berry / very, ban / van, boat / vote.
For English v, place your upper teeth lightly against your lower lip. For b, close both lips before releasing the sound.
Pronunciation Challenge 3: Word Stress
English uses stressed syllables to shape how words sound. Placing stress on the wrong syllable may make a familiar word harder to recognize.
- TA-ble
- im-POR-tant
- com-PU-ter
- de-CI-sion
These examples use capital letters to show the stressed syllable, not a different spelling. Listen to a reliable dictionary recording and repeat the word aloud.
Pronunciation Challenge 4: Final Consonants
English words often end in consonants or consonant clusters that learners may find difficult. Omitting a final sound can sometimes change the meaning or make verb tense and plural endings harder to understand.
Practice: work / worked, book / books, live / lived, want / wants.
Practice the final sounds clearly but naturally. You do not need to exaggerate them in normal conversation.
Pronunciation Challenge 5: The Short “I” and Long “EE” Sounds
English distinguishes vowels in pairs such as ship and sheep. Listen carefully to the vowel length and quality rather than relying on spelling.
Practice pairs: ship / sheep, live / leave, sit / seat, fill / feel.
6. Word Order Mistakes: English Is Not Always Spanish in Disguise
English and Spanish often use subject-verb-object order, but they differ in questions, adjectives, adverbs, and some common expressions.
Putting Adjectives After Nouns
Incorrect: “I bought a car red.”
Correct: “I bought a red car.”
English adjectives usually come before the nouns they describe.
- “A beautiful house.”
- “An interesting book.”
- “A difficult question.”
Translating “I Like It” Word for Word
Incorrect: “I like very much this movie.”
More natural: “I like this movie very much.”
Also natural: “I really like this movie.”
Adverb placement varies by expression. Learning complete example sentences helps you avoid unnatural word order.
Confusing “Too” and “Very”
“The coffee is very hot.” — a high degree of heat.
“The coffee is too hot to drink.” — hotter than is comfortable or appropriate for drinking.
Too often means more than desired or acceptable, while very intensifies an adjective without necessarily suggesting a problem.
7. A Quick Reference: 20 Common Mistakes and Their Corrections
| Incorrect or unnatural | Correct or more natural English |
|---|---|
| I have 20 years. | I am 20 years old. |
| I am agree. | I agree. |
| She don’t like it. | She doesn’t like it. |
| Where you live? | Where do you live? |
| Did you went? | Did you go? |
| I didn’t knew. | I didn’t know. |
| People is nice. | People are nice. |
| Is raining. | It’s raining. |
| I listen music. | I listen to music. |
| It depends of you. | It depends on you. |
| She explained me. | She explained it to me. |
| I have lived here since five years. | I have lived here for five years. |
| I am boring. | I am bored. (if you feel uninterested) |
| This is a sensible person. (meaning emotionally sensitive) | This is a sensitive person. |
| I made my homework. | I did my homework. |
| I’m married with Alex. | I’m married to Alex. |
| I’m interested on art. | I’m interested in art. |
| She said me the truth. | She told me the truth. |
| I bought a phone new. | I bought a new phone. |
| Actually, I work here since 2020. | I’ve worked here since 2020. (if you still work there) |
Some expressions can be acceptable in particular contexts or varieties of English. The corrections above focus on standard, broadly useful English for learners.
Interactive Quiz: Test Your English Grammar
Choose the best answer for each question. The quiz checks your answers and explains the corrections so you can learn from your mistakes.
How to Stop Making the Same English Mistakes
Knowing the correct rule is only the first step. To use English naturally, you need to recognize the mistake while speaking or writing and retrieve the correct expression automatically.
1. Keep a Personal Mistake List
Write down errors you actually make. For each one, record the incorrect version, the correction, and an example connected to your life.
My mistake: “I am agree with this idea.”
Correction: “I agree with this idea.”
My example: “I agree with my colleague about the new project.”
2. Learn Complete Expressions
Instead of memorizing a preposition or verb in isolation, learn it in a phrase: “interested in learning,” “depend on the situation,” or “listen to a podcast.” Complete expressions give you a pattern you can reuse.
3. Practice With Short Daily Exercises
Spend 10–15 minutes reviewing a few mistakes. Create five sentences, say them aloud, and then use the same structures in a short conversation or written paragraph.
4. Use English in Real Situations
Practice introducing yourself, describing your work, asking questions, explaining a problem, and sharing opinions. Familiar situations make it easier to notice recurring mistakes.
5. Ask for Corrections With Explanations
You can use an AI assistant, teacher, or language partner to review your writing. Ask for corrections that explain the rule and show natural alternatives, rather than simply rewriting everything.
“I’m a Spanish speaker learning English. Correct the grammar and vocabulary mistakes in my paragraph. For each correction, show my original sentence, the improved version, and a short explanation of the rule. Prioritize mistakes that affect clarity and naturalness. Then give me five new practice sentences.”
6. Focus on One or Two Patterns at a Time
Trying to correct every aspect of your English at once can make speaking stressful. Spend a few days focusing on questions with do and does, then move on to prepositions or past-tense questions.
7. Review Your Progress Every Week
Look at your mistake list and check which errors have become less frequent. Keep practicing the ones that still appear. The goal is steady improvement, not perfect English from the beginning.
A Simple 7-Day Plan to Improve Your English
| Day | Focus | Practice task |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Grammar | Write ten sentences using the correct forms of “be,” “have,” and “do.” |
| Tuesday | Questions | Create ten present-simple questions and answer them aloud. |
| Wednesday | Vocabulary | Review five false friends and use each in an original sentence. |
| Thursday | Prepositions | Practice phrases such as “listen to,” “depend on,” and “interested in.” |
| Friday | Pronunciation | Record yourself reading five sentences and review one sound or stress pattern. |
| Saturday | Writing and speaking | Write a short paragraph, then explain the same topic aloud. |
| Sunday | Review | Retake the quiz and compare your answers with your earlier attempts. |
Repeat the cycle with new examples. Short, focused practice sessions help you notice and correct recurring patterns without becoming overwhelmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common English mistakes Spanish speakers make?
Common examples include using “have” instead of “be” for age, forgetting “do” and “does” in questions, using the past tense after “did,” omitting required subjects, confusing false friends, and choosing the wrong prepositions. The mistakes each learner makes depend on their first-language variety, level, and learning history.
Why do Spanish speakers make mistakes in English?
Many errors come from transferring Spanish grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, or sentence patterns into English. This is a normal part of language learning. Recognizing the differences and practicing correct expressions in context can reduce these errors.
How can I improve my English grammar as a Spanish speaker?
Study common differences between the languages, write example sentences, practice speaking, and keep a personal list of recurring mistakes. Review a small number of patterns regularly and use corrections to create new examples.
What are false friends in English and Spanish?
False friends are words that look or sound similar in two languages but have different meanings. Examples include “actually” and “actualmente,” “embarrassed” and “embarazada,” and “library” and “librería.”
How can I improve my English pronunciation?
Listen to clear recordings, practice difficult sound contrasts, learn word stress, and record yourself reading short sentences. Focus on intelligibility and consistent practice rather than trying to eliminate your accent.
Should I translate from Spanish to English when I speak?
Translation can help you learn new vocabulary, but translating every sentence can slow down spontaneous conversation. Practice common English phrases, self-talk, and short conversations to build more direct connections between ideas and English expressions.
Can AI correct my English mistakes?
Yes. AI can identify many grammar, vocabulary, and sentence-structure issues, explain corrections, and generate targeted exercises. However, it can occasionally miss context or suggest an unnatural correction, so check important questions with reliable learning resources or a qualified teacher.
How long does it take to stop making English mistakes?
There is no fixed timeline. Some errors improve quickly with focused practice, while others persist because they have become habits. Track your recurring mistakes and review them regularly to see which patterns are becoming more consistent.
Speak English With More Confidence
Making mistakes does not mean you are bad at English. It means you are learning how a new language works. By identifying common errors, practicing corrected examples, and reviewing your own speaking and writing, you can communicate more naturally over time.
Start with three mistakes from this guide. Write one correct example for each, say the sentences aloud, and use them in a real conversation this week.
Your next step: Take the interactive quiz above, review your incorrect answers, and add your most important mistakes to a personal English learning list.