According to the English Proficiency Index, the Dutch are on top of the list as best European speakers of English language. It’s no surprise as it’s of common knowledge that Dutch speakers are pretty good when it comes to using English to communicate in different environments: at work, in every-day situations, and with the thousands of foreigners who visit the beautiful country on a yearly basis. However, there are some typical mistakes Dutch speakers make in English, which you can easily correct.
Typical Mistake # 1
The pronunciation of the word ‘idea’.
In Dutch, the word ‘idea’ sounds like ID /aidi/ but, in fact, it should be pronounced /aidia/. I am not using the official phonemic symbols. Instead, I am writing the pronunciation (in Dutch: uitspraak) the way it is pronounced rather than properly written when using phonemic symbols.
Example: Yes, I had an idea /aidi/ which everybody liked.
But it should be: Yes, I had an idea /aidia/ which everybody liked.
Example 2: I needed to show my ID /aidi/ to get my drivers’ licence.
Then, you should remember: /aidi/ is used for ID and idea /aidia/ when you refer to a plan or suggestion.
Typical Mistake # 2
Saying ‘we were with three’.
This typical mistake is related to translation. Let’s take a look at the following examples:
Example: We were with three the other day at the meeting.
This, would mean that you were with three other people, which means that you were a total of four people. In fact, what you want to say is that there were three people in total, including yourself.
This happens because in Dutch, you would say: Wij waren laatst met z’n drieën.
But it should be: We were three the other day at the meeting.
Because in fact, you want to highlight the fact that there were three people in total, not four.
Typical Mistake # 3
I work at the company for three years.
This typical mistake is also related to translation from Dutch into English.
Dutch speakers, would say the following in Dutch: Ik werk nu drie jaar bij het bedrijf. ‘Ik werk’ is in the present simple tense (present simple: I work, I travel, I play, I speak, etc.), therefore, you tend to translate it in the same way in English but let’s take a look at the following example:
Example: I’ve been working for three years (because you started three years ago and you are still working at the company).
Then, the rule, simply explained, is as follows:
When you talk about something that started in the past (you working at the company) and continues in the present (you still work at the company), you should use the present perfect:
Subject (I, you, he, she, we, you, they) + HAVE/HAS + BEEN + VERB-ING
More examples:
- How long have you been living in the Netherlands? (The person started living in the Netherlands in the past and is still living there).
- Have you been learning English for long? (you know that the person started learning English in the past and is still taking lessons).
- How long have you been working in HR? (you know the person started working in HR in the past and is still working in such position now).
Typical Mistake # 4
What is your function?
This mistake is made because of the translation of the word functie in Dutch into English.
Be aware of the fact that when we talk about what a person does at work, rather than function, you should use the word position or tasks.
Example: Oh! You’ve been promoted? What’s your function now?
This is incorrect. The word function as such is used when we refer to something that works in the correct or intended way, as in ‘operate’ (definition given by the Longman Dictionary).
Instead, you should say: Oh! You’ve been promoted? What’s your position now?
The word position refers to the role a person has in a company, what they do there. Position here, refers to job.
Example 2: Bill took up his new position as Works Director in October.
So, next time you’re chatting with your new colleague at work and you’d like to know what he or she does at the company, remember to ask about their position rather than function.
Important! When talking about work, it is possible to use the word function but in a different way:
Example 3: In your new job you will perform a variety of functions.
What about the word function here? Can you think of a word that replaces the word function in the phrase above? A little hint. It starts with the letter T and has 4 letters.
It’s the word TASK. In the example illustrated above, we could also say: In your new job you will perform a variety of tasks.
Typical Mistake # 5
The pronunciation of the word series.
In Dutch, the word ‘series’ is singular (enkelvoud). However, in English, the word series is always plural (meervoud).
Example: I’m watching an interesting serie.
Instead, you should say: I’m watching an interesting series.
Even though it’s a plural noun (noun: zelfstandig naamwoord – words such as TV, chair, lamp, door, etc.) you should use the singular form as in ‘I’m watching a new comedy series’.
Typical Mistake #6
She’s living in Eindhoven.
This is almost the opposite compared to the previous mistakes Dutch speakers typically make. Why? Because, mistakes are typical mistakes when translating words from Dutch into English but, surprisingly, I have not yet found out the origin of this mistake as the same form is used both in English and in Dutch. However, many Dutch speakers make the same mistake with these types of sentences.
In Dutch, you say: Ze woont in Eindhoven.
So you should do the exact same in English.
Example: She lives in Eindhoven.
However, sometimes you tend to unnecessarily use the present continuous (is living) tense.
When should you use it?
a. For things which are happening now, at the moment of speaking.
Example: They are discussing an interesting topic.
b. For situations that are temporary.
Example: They are living in Eindhoven until they can purchase their own place in Breda.
This means that those living in Eindhoven are doing so for a short period of time. This is not permanent.
Can you think of further examples of typical mistakes made by Dutch speakers? I’d love to hear from you!
And if you’re struggling with English at work, contact me or book a Let’s Talk session so we can discuss how I could help you improve your Business English language skills.
