Common Mistakes English Speakers Make in German

Introduction

English speakers often fall into predictable traps when learning German. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Confusing "der, die, das"

Gender in German is often not intuitive. Memorize the article with every new noun you learn. There's no shortcut around this.

2. Incorrect Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

Remember that in subordinate clauses (e.g., after "weil" or "dass"), the conjugated verb goes to the end of the sentence.

3. Using the Wrong Prepositions

Prepositions can be tricky. Pay close attention to which case a preposition requires (accusative, dative, or two-way).

4. False Friends (Falsche Freunde)

Words that look similar in English and German can have very different meanings. For example, "aktuell" means "current," not "actual."