{"id":48527,"date":"2022-04-06T12:12:21","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T10:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=48527"},"modified":"2022-04-06T12:12:21","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T10:12:21","slug":"8-vocabulary-mistakes-spanish-speakers-make","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/8-vocabulary-mistakes-spanish-speakers-make\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Vocabulary Mistakes Spanish Speakers Make"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ask a Spanish speaker what they find difficult about English language learning, they may mention false friends and different uses of verbs. <\/p>\n

Not only have you got to get to grips with<\/strong><\/span> the grammar and pronunciation, but you\u2019ve also got to remember thousands of new words. This is no walk in the park<\/strong><\/span> and sometimes we make mistakes \u2013 but we\u2019re human! It\u2019s totally normal and can actually help you learn and remember for the future. <\/p>\n

To help, we\u2019ve put together a list of 8 common vocabulary mistakes Spanish speakers make.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Advice vs. warning<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

When do we use the nouns \u2018advice\u2019 and \u2018warning\u2019? This is tricky for Spanish speakers as \u2018advice\u2019 is a false friend \u2013 an English word that looks the same as in Spanish, but isn\u2019t! In Spanish \u2018un aviso\u2019 actually translates to \u2018a notice\u2019 or \u2018a warning\u2019.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s clear up<\/strong><\/span> the confusion. In English we use \u2018advice\u2019 to offer guidance or recommendations for actions that may affect the present or future. For example:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • <\/i>His advice<\/strong> was that I should visit a doctor if my symptoms continue.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/span>\n<\/ul><\/div>
    <\/div>\n <\/p>\n

    On the other hand, we use \u2018warning\u2019 to show caution or signal that something, usually negative, is about to happen. For example:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • <\/i>The news presenter gave a warning<\/strong> that a storm was about to strike. <\/em><\/li>\n<\/span>\n<\/ul><\/div>
      <\/div>\n <\/p>\n

      \"8<\/p>\n

      Remember: in English \u2018advice\u2019 is an uncountable noun, while \u2018warning\u2019 is countable. <\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      2. To assist vs. to attend<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Watch out when saying \u2018I\u2019ve assisted three meetings this week\u2019 if you really mean you \u2018have taken part in<\/strong><\/span>\u2019 three meetings. Take note and say: <\/p>\n

        \n
      • <\/i>I\u2019ve attended<\/strong> three meetings this week.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/span>\n<\/ul><\/div>
        <\/div>\n <\/p>\n

        In English we use the verb \u2018to attend\u2019 to signify being present at an event, meeting or function. We use the verb \u2018to assist\u2019 to mean to help someone. For instance: <\/p>\n

          \n
        • <\/i>The teacher assisted<\/strong> him with his homework. <\/em><\/li>\n<\/span>\n<\/ul><\/div>
          <\/div>\n <\/p>\n

          Check out this short video for further clarification.<\/p>\n