Battle 10 English Mistakes for Romanians
This article lists the English mistakes most commonly made by Romanian speakers and explains the cause of each, including confusion between 'he' and 'she' (Romanian marks gender differently) and incorrect use of 'will' in conditional sentences. Each entry gives the reason for the error and a correction.
Common English Mistakes for Romanians
How to avoid these common English mistakes and improve your skills
Learning English can be a rewarding experience, but for Romanian speakers, certain challenges often arise due to differences in grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. In this blog, we’ll explore the most common English mistakes for Romanians, provide actionable tips to fix them, and share resources to help you master the language. Whether you’re a student, professional, or language enthusiast, this guide will help you avoid English grammar mistakes and speak with confidence.
Why Do Romanians Struggle with English?
Romanian and English belong to different language families, which means they have distinct rules and structures. While Romanian is a Romance language, English is Germanic, leading to common grammar errors for Romanian students. Additionally, false friends, flexible word order in Romanian, and differences in verb usage can create confusion. Let’s dive into the most frequent mistakes and how to correct them.
Confusing “He” and “She”
Why?
In Romanian, verbs often indicate gender, so pronouns are sometimes omitted. This can lead to confusion when using “he” and “she” in English.
How to fix it
Practice gender-specific vocabulary daily.
Use AI-powered tools like Grammarly for real-time corrections.
Listen to native speakers on platforms like BBC Learning English.
Incorrect Use of “Will” in Conditional Sentences
Why?
In English, the first conditional uses the present simple after “if,” not “will.”
The mistake
“If it will rain, I will take an umbrella.”
The correction
“If it rains, I will take an umbrella.”
How to fix it
Learn the correct structure:
If I will study, I will pass the exam.
If I study, I will pass the exam.
Practice conditionals using resources like:
Confusing “Make” and “Do”
Why?
In Romanian, the verb “a face” (to do/make) is versatile, leading to overuse of “make” in English.
The mistake
“I need to make my homework.”
The correction
“I need to do my homework.”
How to fix it
Use “do” for activities and obligations:
Do homework
Do a favor
Use “make” for creating something
Make a decision
Make a cake
Adding “To” After Modal Verbs
Why?
Romanian verbs often use “să” before the verb (Trebuie să învăț = I must study), leading to the incorrect insertion of “to” in English.
The mistake
“You must to study harder.”
The correction
“You must study harder.”
How to fix it
After modal verbs (must, can, should, might, etc.), drop “to”
You must to go home.
You must go home.
False Friends
(Words That Look Similar but Have Different Meanings)
Why?
Common False Friends for Romanians
The mistake
“I am sensible to cold.”
(False friend from Romanian: sensibil = sensitive)
The correction
“I am sensitive to cold.”
How to fix it
Check the actual meaning in English.
Use a dictionary to confirm false friends.
Overusing “I Have” for Experiences
Why?
In Romanian, you say “Am 25 de ani” (literally “I have 25 years”), but in English, age is expressed with “am” instead of “have.”
The mistake
“I have 25 years.”
The correction
“I am 25 years old.”
How to fix it
Correct Expressions:
I am 30 years old.
I have 30 years.
Incorrect Question Word Order
Why?
Romanian word order is flexible, but English questions must start with a verb.
The mistake
“You are going to the party?”
The correction
“Are you going to the party?”
How to fix it
Question Formation Rule:
(Verb + Subject + Object?)
Are you hungry?
You are hungry?
Using “Since” Instead of “For” with Time Periods
Why?
When to Use “For” and “Since”
The mistake
“I have lived here since 5 years.”
The correction
“I have lived here for 5 years.”
How to fix it
Use “since” for a starting point:
Since 2015
Since last summer
Use “for” for a duration:
For 5 years
For a long time
Literal Translations from Romanian
Why?
In Romanian, “mă simt” (I feel myself) is natural, but in English, “feel” doesn’t need a reflexive pronoun.
The mistake
“I feel myself good today.” (Mă simt bine azi.)
The correction
“I feel good today.”
How to fix it
I feel great today!
I feel myself great today.
Forgetting the Definite Article “The”
Why?
When Do You Need “The”?
The mistake
“The Life is beautiful.”
The correction
“The life of an artist is difficult.”
How to fix it
General statement (No “the”):
Life is short.
Specific life (Use “the”):
The life of a teacher is hard.
Final Tips
Are you learning English and want personalized lessons?
Join my English course for Romanian speakers!
Common questions
- Why do Romanian speakers confuse 'he' and 'she' in English?
- Romanian pronouns and verb agreement work differently from English, so the speaker's attention is not habitually on the gender of the subject pronoun. The error is one of habit rather than knowledge, and is fixed by deliberate practice.
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