How English Grammar Rules Can Confuse Spanish Speakers (And How to Avoid Mistakes)
Learning English grammar can be tricky, especially for Spanish speakers. Some rules are very different, and it’s easy to make mistakes that can confuse others or change the meaning of what you say. But don’t worry — here are some common errors and tips to help you avoid them!
1. False Friends: “Actually” vs. “Actualmente”
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Mistake: Saying “Actually I live in Madrid” thinking it means “Actualmente vivo en Madrid” (Currently I live in Madrid).
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Tip: Actually means “de hecho” or “en realidad” (in fact). For “currently,” use “at the moment” or “right now.”
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Correct: I’m currently living in Madrid.
2. Using the Present Perfect vs. Past Simple
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Mistake: Saying “I have visited Paris last year.”
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Tip: Use Past Simple with specific past times (last year, yesterday). Use Present Perfect for experiences without a specific time or actions that affect the present.
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Correct: I visited Paris last year. / I have visited Paris several times.
3. Omitting the Subject Pronoun
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Mistake: Saying “Is raining” or “Want coffee” like in Spanish where the subject is often dropped.
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Tip: English sentences usually need a subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).
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Correct: It is raining. / I want coffee.
4. Word Order in Questions
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Mistake: Saying “You are going to the party?” instead of “Are you going to the party?”
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Tip: In English questions, the auxiliary verb (do/does, are/is) comes before the subject.
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Correct: Are you going to the party?
5. Confusing “Make” and “Do”
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Mistake: Saying “I make my homework.”
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Tip: Use “do” for tasks, homework, and general activities; “make” for creating or producing something.
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Correct: I do my homework. / I make a cake.
Bonus Tip: Practice Makes Perfect!
Try to notice these mistakes in conversations, movies, or songs and practice the correct forms. Using apps, reading, and speaking with native speakers can help a lot.
Do you want more tips like this? Share your biggest English grammar doubts in the comments!
#EnglishGrammar #SpanishSpeakers #LearnEnglish #CommonMistakes #EnglishTips
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