Top 10 Mistakes Argentine Learners Make When Learning English
Argentines are known for speaking English with flair, but there are some "False Friends" that cause confusion! The biggest one? Mixing up "Support" and "Stand".
Top 10 Mistakes
1
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I cannot support him!" (Meaning I hate him)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'Soportar' means to tolerate/endure. English 'Support' means to help/back up. They are opposites!
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
It sounds like you are refusing to give him help or money.
✅ Natural English version:
"I cannot stand him!" / "I can't bear him."
2
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I assisted to the class."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'Asistir' means to go to. English 'Assist' means to HELP.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you were the teacher's helper, not a student.
✅ Natural English version:
"I attended the class."
3
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"Put the paper in the carpet."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'Carpeta' is a file folder. English 'Carpet' is the rug on the floor!
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you want me to throw the paper on the floor.
✅ Natural English version:
"Put the paper in the folder."
🎯 Practice: Which Word?
You hate your neighbour. You say:
A) I can't support him
B) I can't stand him
4
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I tell you a history."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'Historia' means both History (facts) and Story (fiction). English separates them.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are giving a lecture about World War II.
✅ Natural English version:
"I will tell you a story."
5
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"The people is crazy."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'La gente' is singular. English 'People' is ALWAYS plural.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Grammatically painful.
✅ Natural English version:
"People are crazy."
6
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"It was a total success!" (Pronounced 'Suceso')
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'Suceso' means an Event. English 'Success' means a victory/achievement.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
This is actually okay if you mean victory. But if you mean 'Event', use 'Event'!
✅ Natural English version:
"It was a great event."
🎯 Practice: Fix the Sentence
"I assisted to the concert."
7
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I love the nature."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Using 'The' for general concepts.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you love a specific park called Nature.
✅ Natural English version:
"I love nature."
8
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I want that you come."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Subjunctive translation. 'Quiero que vengas'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Clunky and robotic.
✅ Natural English version:
"I want you to come."
9
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I berry much like it." (Pronunciation)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish speakers confuse V and B. They are different sounds in English!
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are eating a berry. V needs teeth on lip. B needs lips together.
✅ Natural English version:
"I very much like it." (Teeth on lip for V!)
10
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I make a party."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'Hacer' covers make and do. English uses 'Have' or 'Throw' for parties.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you constructed the party.
✅ Natural English version:
"I had a party."
🎯 Practice: Fix the Sentence
"I can't support the people, they is loud."
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