Gramatical Mistakes Common to Chinese English-speakers

Hi all,

My native language is Chinese and I am learning English as a foreign language. I am wondering if you could name a few mistakes that are commonly seen in Chinese people who speak/write English as a second language, so that I can be more conscious in avoiding them in the future.

Any advice (relating to gramma) will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Best Regards,

- HBLaw

Right. When I read your responses, I realize that these errors occur very often in my own writing/speaking.

For example, confusion of "he" and "she": it often happens in speaking, because in Chinese "he" and "she" has the same pronounciation.

Incorrect choice of words may be a result of the way that Chinese students build their English vocabulary - by studying words with bad dictionaries designed for test preparation (like for GRE). You may often hear a Chinese student complain that he/she has never met the words he/she studied during the preparation for GRE (or some other tests) again.

BTW, Goodman, I can't quite understand the item "space" listed in your post - can you elaborate a little bit?

Thanks!

Hi Hblaw,

"Space" is the "space" between words when typing on the keyboard. I see that a lot in high school level student's writing. Gender mix up and plural to singular are the most common. I had to work very hard to keep from making these mistakes. You are right about he and she sharing the same pronoun between in Chinese. That's why it is a problem for Chinese leaners.  I share GG's opinion about your English. That doesn't mean that there isn't anymore room for improvment.

Thanks a lot! It is encouraging.

I currently work in an international law firm in Beijing. In my work the standard for English is quite stringent. I have to be extremely careful in writing - that's why I asked in the first place. I need to be conscious of the "frequently made mistakes." I'd think I have a LOT to improve. (E.g. in my post above, I used "'he' and 'she' has ...").

Previously I focused mainly in substance when writing; now I think it is time to fix the grammar.