Common mistakes in English by Russian learners

pirogovdenis

New member
Joined
Dec 24, 2025
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Russian Federation
As a native speaker, what common mistake in English made by Russian learners do you find the most "charming" or understandable?
 
The main error I see/hear from native Russian speakers is the omission of articles. I find this understandable because Russian does not use articles so I appreciate that it's a steep learning curve. I can't say I've ever found a common mistake from anyone "charming"!
 
Listen, I have one problem with English times. Why you said 'I have done it', if action finished? In Russian we just say 'я сделал' – done, past, clear! This 'have' – it's extra word. Maybe you can speak without it, for simplicity?
 
Listen, I have one problem with English times tenses.
Starting with "Listen" can sound quite rude and aggressive.
Why you said do you say 'I have done it', if the action is finished?
Note my corrections above.
We don't only say that. We also say "I did it". It all depends on the proximity of the doing to the time of speaking.
In Russian we just say 'я сделал' – done, past, clear!
That's great for you. I'll try to remember that if I ever choose to learn Russian.
This 'have' – it's an extra word.
It's a word that's required when using the present perfect tense, yes.
Maybe you can speak without it, for simplicity?
No, we can't! We use all the tenses that are available to us. Wait till you try and learn Spanish! They use even more tenses than we do!
 
Ooooh, I see! Thanks for you explanation!

About "Listen" – Ok, sorry, my bad! In Russian we also can say "Слушай!" to friends, it's normal. But I understand, in English it sound more... aggressive. Noted for future!
About "proximity" – Аааа, this is key! So if I just now finished homework, I say "I have done it". And if I want tell about yesterday, I say "I did it". Yes? My brain now is little bit more happy.
About Spanish – Haha, no no, I believe you! English is already hard for me, I don't need more problems 😅

So, thank you! I have understand your answer good and now I go to think about all this rules.

Maybe later I will have more stupid questions for you!
 
Ooooh, I see! Thanks for your explanation!
Take care to reread your posts before you submit them. It gives you the opportunity to spot such basic errors.
About "Listen" – Ok OK/okay, sorry, my bad!
At the start of a sentence, write "OK" or "Okay". Anywhere else in a sentence (like the one above), write "OK" or "okay". Writing "Ok" is always wrong.
In Russian we also can say "Слушай!" to friends. It's normal.
You had a comma splice originally. This needed to be two sentences.
But However, I understand no comma here that in English it sounds more ... aggressive. Noted for the future!
Don't try to start sentences with "but". Either use it as a conjunction or start the sentence with "However,".
When you use an ellipsis (the three dots), make sure you put a space at the beginning and the end of the string of dots.
About "proximity" – aаh, this is key!
Unless the word after a dash is a proper noun, don't start it with a capital letter. Note the correct spelling of "aah" when you're expressing "Oh, I see!"
So if I have just now finished my homework, I should say "I have done it".
Yes.
And If I want to tell talk about yesterday, I should say "I did it". Yes?
Yes.
My brain now is a little bit more happy.
Good.
About Spanish – haha, no no, I believe you! English is already hard enough for me; I don't need more problems. 😅
You had another comma splice. If you haven't already studied these, have a good look online.
An emoji is not a replacement for a closing full stop.
So, Thank you!

I have understand your answer good well and now I am going to think about all this these rules.
Study the difference between "good" and "well".
Study the use of "this", "that", "these" and "those".
Maybe later I will have more stupid questions for you!
There are no stupid questions. As long as you're asking us about a genuine problem you're having with English, they're just questions.
 
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