Common errors made by spanish speakers in writing essays, particularly for the toefl. In blog from toeflobsessed.wordpress.com

1. Error Error in sentence Correct sentence
Think in/about Many people begin to
think in how they can
improve their lives.
Many people begin to think ABOUT how
they can improve their lives.
Pass over
obstacles/overcome
This demonstrates how
people can pass over
obstacles quickly.
This demonstrates how people can
OVERCOME obstacles quickly.
I agree/I agree that I agree governments
should spend more
money on social
programs.
I agree THAT governments should spend
more money on social programs.
Consider that Many people consider
that a happy child is
better than a genius
child.
Many people consider a happy child
better than a genius child.
Proved that/proven It is proved that more
exercise leads to better
study habits.
It is PROVEN that more exercise leads to
better study habits.
Brings you a good
health/healthy
Physical exercise brings
you a good health.
Physical exercise helps you stay healthy.
As/such as Practicing sports has
many benefits as
better health, stronger
muscles and more
energy.
Practicing sports has many benefits
SUCH AS, better health, stronger muscles
and more energy.
Focus in/on Drinking water
throughout the day
helps you focus in your
studies.
Drinking water throughout the day helps
you focus ON your studies.
Fun/funny Practicing a sport is
funnier than studying.
Practicing a sport is MORE FUN than
studying. *Funny= chistoso
Fun= divertido
According with/to According with current
research, one hundred
enterprises rule the
world.
According TO current research, one
hundred enterprises rule the world.
Recently/current Recently studies have
shown that eating
more dark chocolate is
good for the heart.
RECENT studies have shown that eating
more dark chocolate is good for the
heart.
Mayor/major A mayor part of the
world economy is
based on food
productions.
A MAJOR part of the world economy is
based on food production.
All his life A friend once told me
that we worked all his
life to retire.
A friend once told me that we worked
HIS ENTIRE life to retire.
In the beach When you sit in the When you sit ON the beach, you must be

2. beach, you must be
careful of robbers.
careful of robbers.
Investigation/research The company is doing
an investigation on
how their new website
is affecting new client
enrollment.
The company is doing RESEARCH on how
their new website is affecting new client
enrollment.
* investigation es más común en una
situación de la policía. Ej: The police are
doing an investigation on the man about
the murder.
Alimentation/nutrition Children need good
alimentation in order to
do well in school.
Children need good PROPER in order to
do well in school.
From + gerund Students should have
many short vacations
to keep them from
finish the year
completely exhausted.
Students should have many short
vacations to keep them from FINISHING
the year completely exhausted.
* after from, we always use the verb in
the gerund form
EJ: From walking to swimming, any type
of exercise is healthy.
Wash our
minds/brainwash us
Commercials try and
wash our minds in
order to convince us to
buy their product.
Commercials try and BRAINWASH US in
order to convince us to buy their
product.