Common Mistakes in English

Common Mistakes in English: How to Avoid Them

English learners/ students from Germany and France often struggle with certain mistakes due to differences in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. In this guide, I’ll cover the most common errors and how to fix them.

1. False Friends (False Cognates)

Many words in English look similar to German or French words but have different meanings. For example:

• Actual (English) vs. Aktuell (German) – “Actual” means “real” or “true,” while “aktuell” means “current.”
• Library (English) vs. Librairie (French) – “Library” is a place where you borrow books, while “librairie” is a bookstore.

How to fix it? Always double-check the meaning of a word before assuming it means the same as in your native language.

2. Mixing Up “Make” and “Do”

Many learners struggle with when to use “make” or “do.”

• Use “make” for creating something: make a cake, make a decision.
• Use “do” for actions or tasks: do homework, do the laundry.

3. Incorrect Word Order in Questions

In English, questions follow a specific word order:

• Incorrect: “Where you are from?”
• Correct: “Where are you from?”

4. Using the Wrong Prepositions

Prepositions in English don’t always match German or French equivalents. Common mistakes:

• Interested by ❌ → Interested in ✅
• Married with ❌ → Married to ✅

5. Confusing “Since” and “For”

• Since is used with a specific point in time: I have lived here since 2020.
• For is used with a duration: I have lived here for three years.

6. Overusing Direct Translations

Many German and French learners try to translate directly from their language, which can lead to unnatural sentences. Instead of saying, “I have 25 years,” say, “I am 25 years old.”

7. Pronunciation Challenges

• Germans often struggle with “th” sounds, pronouncing “this” like “zis.”
• French speakers may add extra vowels, saying “estop” instead of “stop.”

Tip: Practice speaking slowly and listen to native speakers.

Improve Your English Today!

If you want to avoid these mistakes and improve your English faster, check out my Common Mistakes in English eBook for more tips and exercises!