Common English Mistakes by Spanish Speakers (B2–C1)
You've been studying English for years. You can follow conversations, express your opinions and probably deal with most everyday situations without much trouble.
Then someone corrects a sentence you've been using for ages.
Sound familiar?
At B2–C1, it's often the smaller things that need attention. You know what you want to say, but sometimes a word doesn't mean quite what you think it means. Or two perfectly good English words don't belong together.
Let's look at some examples of common mistakes by Spanish speakers. You might recognise a few.
1. Actually, I'm studying English
There's nothing wrong with this sentence if you're correcting what someone thinks.
But what if you wanted to say Actualmente estudio inglés?
That's a different matter.
The English word actually means something like in fact or en realidad. It doesn't normally mean actualmente.
Compare:
✅ I'm currently studying English.
✅ Actually, I'm studying French, not English.
In the second sentence, the speaker is correcting information.
It's a small difference, but it can completely change what your listener understands.
Other false friends worth checking include sensible (sensato), eventually (finalmente, después de un tiempo) and assist (ayudar).
2. I did a decision
You know decision. You know do. So why can't you put them together?
Because English has preferred word combinations called collocations.
We make a decision, not do a decision.
And we take a photo, not do a photo.
The problem isn't necessarily your vocabulary. It's how you're putting the words together.
Here are a few more combinations worth learning:
- Make progress
- Take responsibility
- Pay attention
- Reach an agreement
- Raise awareness
Notice that the verbs aren't always the ones you'd choose if you translated directly from Spanish.
A useful habit is to record the verbs that go with new nouns. When you learn responsibility, for example, learn take responsibility at the same time.
3. I have many doubts
Imagine you're in a lesson and you don't understand the teacher's explanation.
You say, I have many doubts about this.
Will the teacher understand you? Probably. But it may not express exactly what you mean.
In English, doubt often suggests uncertainty about whether something is true, correct or likely.
If you simply need clarification, it's usually more natural to say:
✅ I've got a few questions about this.
✅ There's something I don't quite understand.
However, I have doubts about this plan is perfectly natural if you're not convinced the plan will work.
The lesson here? A word can be grammatically correct but still communicate a different meaning from the one you intended.
And that's an important distinction at higher levels.
4. The party was very funny
Did everyone spend the evening laughing? Was something strange happening?
Or did you simply enjoy yourself?
Funny and fun aren't interchangeable, even though both can describe positive experiences.
- The comedian was really funny. — He made us laugh.
- We had a lot of fun at the party. — We enjoyed ourselves.
- There was something funny about his behaviour. — Something seemed strange.
So The party was funny isn't necessarily incorrect. But it suggests something different from simply saying you had a good time.
Pay attention to these small differences. They can make your English much more precise.
5. I can't assist to the meeting
This is another classic false friend.
In Spanish, asistir a una reunión means going to or attending a meeting.
But in English, assist means help.
So you'd say:
✅ I can't attend the meeting tomorrow.
And:
✅ Could you assist me with this report?
The verb realise can cause similar confusion.
Consider these sentences:
- I noticed a mistake in the report.
- I realised there was a mistake in the report.
Both are correct, but they don't express exactly the same thing. Notice focuses on becoming aware of something, often through observation. Realise focuses on understanding or recognising a fact.
You don't need complicated vocabulary to sound advanced. You need to choose words that express what you really mean.
6. I put myself nervous
Have you ever tried to explain how you feel before an exam or a job interview?
In Spanish, you might say Me pongo nervioso.
But translating that structure directly doesn't work:
❌ I put myself nervous before exams.
✅ I get nervous before exams.
The verb get is particularly useful when talking about changes in feelings or states.
- I get tired after a long day.
- She got angry when she heard the news.
- I'm getting worried about the results.
You may already know all those adjectives. The important part is learning how English uses them in everyday expressions.
7. Old mistakes can stick around
Some errors aren't particularly advanced, but they can survive into B2 and even C1.
Take I am agree with you, for example.
It comes from Estoy de acuerdo contigo, but English uses agree as a verb.
✅ I agree with you.
Or consider:
❌ I've been working here since five years.
✅ I've been working here for five years.
You probably studied these structures a long time ago. So why do they still appear?
Sometimes we understand a rule perfectly when we're doing a grammar exercise, but fall back into familiar habits when we're speaking quickly.
That's why noticing your own recurring mistakes matters, whatever your level.
How do you make your English sound more natural?
One of the most useful things you can do at B2–C1 is pay attention to how words are used together, not just what they mean.
When you're reading an article or watching a video, notice expressions you wouldn't have thought of yourself.
Maybe someone says I'm not entirely convinced instead of I don't agree. Or I get the feeling that... instead of I think....
Ask yourself why they've chosen that particular expression. Is it more cautious? More informal? Does it suggest a different attitude?
You can also keep a short list of sentences that you've had corrected. Not hundreds of them. Just the ones you seem to get wrong repeatedly.
Then use the correct versions in your own speaking and writing.
One final thought
Moving from B2 towards C1 isn't simply about learning longer words or increasingly complicated grammar.
It's also about choosing the right expression for the situation, recognising subtle differences in meaning and becoming more aware of how English is actually used.
And don't forget the basics. Even advanced learners occasionally make mistakes with familiar structures.
If you'd like to check yours, our A2–B1 article on common mistakes by Spanish speakers covers several common problems that are worth revisiting.
Common English Mistakes by Spanish Speakers (A2–B1)
Keep listening, reading, experimenting and checking the expressions you're unsure about. Those small adjustments can make a noticeable difference to your English.