Discover the Common mistakes in Spanish expressions
Sometimes an error has occurred when using some expressions in Spanish, to solve it, we have compiled the most common errors in this post. Discover it!
A nivel de
Prepositional phrase of foreign origin that is equivalent to certain prepositions in Spanish. Avoid it and use the Spanish prepositions.
Example:
Incorrect: El problema será estudiado a nivel de la dirección.
Correct: El problema será estudiado por la dirección.
A punta de pistola
A robbery occurs “a punta de navaja” or “de cuchillo”, but never “a punta de pistola”. The correct expression is pistola en mano.
Example:
Entraron en el banco pistola en mano.
Le robaron el bolso a punta de cuchillo.
Aparte / A parte
Aparte can be an adverb, an adjective or a noun.
Example: Ese tema es aparte.
A parte is a construction made up of a preposition and a noun, “parte” (which can take determiners and be pluralized).
Example:
Nos quedaremos en casa. No iremos a parte alguna.
De 2004 / del 2004
According to the latest ruling of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, in dates that are included in letters, documents and newspapers the year should appear without the article: “20 de abril de 2004”.
In other cases we can add the article: “20 de abril del 2004”.
Example:
Esa carta está fechada el 20 de abril de 2003.
Me iré a México el 18 de Agosto del 2005.
Demás / de más
Demás: Indefinite pronoun that indicates the part that is not mentioned. Equivalent to “los otros/as”.
De más: Preposition plus adverb of quantity.
Example:
Sólo está Juan. Los demás no han venido. Me has dado dinero de más.
El sí
When “sí” is preceded by a determiner it is a noun. The plural is “síes”.
Example:
La novia le dio el sí sin dudarlo.
Fuera / afuera
In Spanish as spoken in Spain fuera is used with verbs of movement and with verbs of non-movement such as “estar”. Afuera is only used with verbs of movement.
Example:
He ido afuera / fuera.
He estado fuera mucho tiempo.
Hacer presión
Use presionar, since it is simpler.
Example:
El gobierno presionó a los sindicatos.
No existencia
Constructions made up of no + noun should be avoided.. They can sometimes be replaced by the prefix “in-” (“inexistencia”, “inestabilidad”…), or by verb constructions (“no existe”, “no tiene estabilidad”…).
Example:
La inestabilidad del precio del petróleo preocupa a las economías.
Noche de ayer
Incorrect. The correct expression is anoche.
Example:
Anoche me llamó Silvia.
Si valdría…
The conditional form of verbs cannot used with “si” in conditional expressions. The correct forms are the imperfect subjunctive or pluperfect subjunctive.
Example:
Si valiera menos lo compraría.
Si hubiera valido menos lo habría comprado.
Talvez / tal vez
In Latin America this is generally written as one word, while in Spain it is written as two.
Example:
Latin America: Talvez vino y no lo vimos.
Spain: Tal vez vino y no lo vimos.
If you want to discover the common mistakes in Spanish Words, the common mistakes in Spanish Verbs or 8 Spanish grammar mistakes.
And if you have more words that cause you problems or that can produce errors, write them in the comments! we will help you solve them!
Do you want to improve your Spanish? So Check this course:
Did you like this post?
CHECK ALL THE FREE RESOURCES FOR LEARNING SPANISH ONLINE
Free Basic Spanish resources
- Spanish Alphabet
- Spanish Numbers
- Days of the Week in Spanish
- Months in Spanish
- First steps to Learn Basic Spanish
- Basic Conversation Skills in Spanish
Free Spanish Exam Resources
Free Spanish Grammar Resources
How to Say Spanish Resources
Free Conversational Spanish Resources
Tips & Tricks for Learning Spanish
Other Spanish Resources
Do you want more information about our Online Spanish Courses?
The Best Teachers. The Best Method. The Best E-learning platform.
