Learning French as an English speaker comes with both advantages and challenges. The two languages share a lot of vocabulary and similar sentence structures, which can make things easier at first glance. However, there are also hidden traps that many learners fall into, especially at the beginner and intermediate stages. If you’re just starting your French journey, being aware of these common mistakes can save you time and frustration.
In this article, we’ll look at five of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning French — and how to avoid them.
1. Translating Directly from English
One of the most common errors is trying to translate word-for-word from English to French. While some phrases do carry over, many don’t — and this can lead to awkward or incorrect sentences.
For example, English speakers might say “I miss you” and try to translate it as “Je manque toi,” which is incorrect. The correct French phrase is “Tu me manques,” which literally means “You are missing from me.”
French often uses a different structure, order, or even logic than English. Instead of thinking in English and translating, aim to start thinking in French, even with simple sentences. It may feel unnatural at first, but it’s one of the keys to fluency.
2. Misusing Gendered Nouns
French is a gendered language — every noun is either masculine or feminine. For English speakers, this concept is unfamiliar and often leads to mistakes, especially with articles, adjectives, and pronouns.
For example:
- La table (the table) is feminine.
- Le livre (the book) is masculine.
Mixing up genders can make your speech sound incorrect, even if your pronunciation is perfect. It’s important to learn the gender of a noun at the same time you learn the word. One helpful tip is to always study the word with its article (e.g., un livre, une table), and try to use color coding or memory tricks to reinforce the gender visually.
3. Ignoring Pronunciation Rules
French pronunciation is tricky — silent letters, nasal sounds, and unfamiliar vowels can easily confuse English speakers. Words like beaucoup, fille, or rue often get mispronounced, leading to misunderstandings or awkward moments.
Here are a few key points to remember:
- Final consonants are often silent: grand is pronounced “grahn,” not “grand.”
- Nasal vowels are not the same as “n” sounds: pain (bread) is not the same as pan in English.
- The letter “r” has a distinct throaty sound, not the English rolled or tapped “r.”
Listening practice is essential. Regularly expose yourself to French through songs, films, and native speakers. And don’t be afraid to imitate — pronunciation is like a muscle: the more you train it, the stronger it becomes.
4. Overusing “Tu” Instead of “Vous”
In English, “you” is used in every situation — formal or informal, singular or plural. But French makes a distinction between:
- Tu: informal, used with friends, family, or children
- Vous: formal or plural, used in professional settings, with strangers, or elders
English speakers often default to tu, which can sound too casual or even rude in certain contexts. On the flip side, some learners try to play it safe and use vous for everyone, which can make conversations feel stiff or overly formal.
Learning when and how to switch between tu and vous is part of mastering French etiquette. If you’re ever unsure, it’s better to start with vous — the other person will let you know if it’s okay to switch.
5. Forgetting to Link Words in Speech (Liaison)
French has a unique feature called liaison, where the final consonant of one word connects to the beginning of the next — but only in specific situations.
For example:
- Vous avez is pronounced “voo-z‿avez,” not “voo avez.”
- Les amis becomes “lay-z‿amis,” not “les amis.”
Many English speakers skip the liaison or apply it incorrectly, which can make speech sound robotic or unnatural. While liaisons can be tricky, they’re essential for fluid, native-like pronunciation.
One good way to practice is by listening to slow-spoken French podcasts or watching videos with subtitles. Over time, your ear will begin to catch the patterns, and you’ll start using them automatically.
