Problem areas for German speakers
'by' and 'until'
The most important common mistake I hear from German speakers is with 'by' and 'until'. The reason it is important is when used wrong it can be very confusing for the listener.
By and until video explanation:
'since' and 'for'
This is not as important as 'by and until' as it doesn't change the meaning of the sentence. However, it can sound quite bad sometimes and is a quick win as the rule is simple.
Video explanation:
Video explanation:
there is/ there are
'muss nicht' is NOT mustn't
In the positive, the German verb 'muss' can be translated as 'have to' or 'must'.*
However, in the negative this changes:
don't have to = muss nicht
mustn't = darf nicht
When used the wrong way round, it sounds very strange and can be very confusing for the listener. You can practice this with this fill-the-blank exercise here.
However, in the negative this changes:
don't have to = muss nicht
mustn't = darf nicht
When used the wrong way round, it sounds very strange and can be very confusing for the listener. You can practice this with this fill-the-blank exercise here.
*Some people argue that 'must' and 'have to' are different. However, personally I feel the difference is small, it is OK to use them interchangeably.
'aktuel' is NOT 'actually'
Video explantion:
'eventuell' is not 'eventually'
''eventuell' is best translated as 'maybe' or 'possibly'.
Eventually means 'in the end' or 'finally'. A good German translation for this is 'schließlich' or 'letztendlich'.
Eventually means 'in the end' or 'finally'. A good German translation for this is 'schließlich' or 'letztendlich'.
The difference between 'remind' and 'remember'
'so' and 'such'
When do we use them:
So + adjective
Such + noun.
However, I often hear it used incorrectly.
e.g. It was so a difficult meeting.
I understand this sentence but it doesn’t sound good. What is the mistake?
There is a noun (meeting) at the end of the sentence, so you need to use ‘such’.
Correct sentence: It was such a difficult meeting.
You can find 10 practice sentences here.
So + adjective
Such + noun.
However, I often hear it used incorrectly.
e.g. It was so a difficult meeting.
I understand this sentence but it doesn’t sound good. What is the mistake?
There is a noun (meeting) at the end of the sentence, so you need to use ‘such’.
Correct sentence: It was such a difficult meeting.
You can find 10 practice sentences here.
'Too less' doesn't exist in English
I often hear Germans say 'too less' e.g I have 'too less time', 'there are too less people'.
In English you can't say' too less'. I do understand it but it sounds VERY strange.
There are two possible alternatives. The good news is the easy alternative is the one that sounds more natural and is the one I always use.
Replace 'too less' with not enough.
I have too less time......I don't have enough time.
There are too less people. ......There aren't enough people.
You can practice this here.
It is also possible to use little/few.
uncountable nouns : too + little e.g. He has too little time.
countable nouns: too + few e.g. There are too few people.
However, this way is becoming increasingly uncommon and personally I wouldn't recommend learning it.
In English you can't say' too less'. I do understand it but it sounds VERY strange.
There are two possible alternatives. The good news is the easy alternative is the one that sounds more natural and is the one I always use.
Replace 'too less' with not enough.
I have too less time......I don't have enough time.
There are too less people. ......There aren't enough people.
You can practice this here.
It is also possible to use little/few.
uncountable nouns : too + little e.g. He has too little time.
countable nouns: too + few e.g. There are too few people.
However, this way is becoming increasingly uncommon and personally I wouldn't recommend learning it.
'we'll see us' is NOT correct
Happy or lucky
This one is easy!
to be lucky = Glück haben
to be happy = glücklich sein
to be lucky = Glück haben
to be happy = glücklich sein
The most common phrasal verbs mistakes I hear
Watch this video to find out which phrasal verbs Germans normally get wrong.