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Common English mistakes French speakers make, and how to fix them

If your first language is French, your English mistakes follow French grammar, sounds and a long list of false friends. They're transfer, not carelessness — and each one has a clear fix.

The big ones. 1) "I am agree" (je suis d'accord) → "I agree". 2) "I have 30 years" (j'ai 30 ans) → "I'm 30"; "I have hunger" → "I'm hungry". 3) "Since" and present tense for duration (depuis): "I live here since 2015" → "I've lived here since 2015" / "for eight years". 4) "The" for general ideas: "the life is beautiful" → "life is beautiful". 5) Adjective after the noun: "a car red" → "a red car". 6) False friends: "actually" (actuellement = currently), "eventually" (éventuellement = possibly), "library" (librairie = bookshop), "sensible" (= sensitive), "deception" (déception = disappointment), "attend" (attendre = wait), "resume" (résumé = summary), "assist" (assister = attend). 7) "Explain me", "I am used to do" → "explain to me", "I'm used to doing". 8) Uncountables made plural: "informations", "advices" → information, advice. 9) The dropped or added "h": "I 'ave", "'appy" — and "th" as /s/ or /z/ ("sink", "ze"). 10) Stress and sounds: French stresses the last syllable ("comPUTER" → "comPUter"), "-ed" said as a full syllable ("work-ED" → "workt"), and "ch" as "sh" ("share" for "chair").

A list won't fix these; making them out loud and being corrected in the moment will. Airi is built for that: she hears the pattern, fixes the one mistake that matters in her reply, and keeps the conversation going. Speak with her daily and these stop being habits within a few weeks. Free to start, no card.

A quick example with Airi

I am agree with you, actually I live in London since two years and I find the life very expensive.

Four French-to-English classics in one go! Try: "I agree with you — I've lived in London for two years now, and I find life very expensive."

I agree with you, I've lived in London for two years now and I find life very expensive.

Perfect. And 'happy' — let me hear the 'h': h-h-happy.

How to get the most from it

'I agree', never 'I am agree'

Agree is a verb in English.

Duration takes present perfect

I've lived here since 2015 / for eight years.

Breathe the 'h'

Happy, house, have — a real puff of air. Airi checks it.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do French speakers say 'I am agree'?

Because 'd'accord' is an adjective phrase in French. In English 'agree' is a verb: I agree. It's transfer, fixable with daily practice.

What's the worst false friend?

'Eventually' — it means 'in the end', not 'possibly'. Also 'actually' (in fact, not currently). Airi flags them when they slip in.

Is Airi available in France?

Yes — it works worldwide on phone or laptop. Free to start with 300 credits, no card.

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