5 Common English Mistakes Moroccans Make

After hundreds of placement tests at Lougha, we see the same patterns again and again. They are not "bad English" — they are predictable side effects of thinking in Darija or French while speaking English. Once you name the mistake, fixing it takes weeks, not years.

1. "I have 25 years" instead of "I am 25"

In Darija and French, age is something you possess — `andi khamsa w ishrin am`, `j'ai 25 ans`. English treats age as a state of being: you ARE 25, you do not HAVE 25. This single swap from `have` to `be` also fixes hunger ("I am hungry", not "I have hunger") and fear ("I am scared", not "I have fear").

2. Mixing up "make" and "do"

French collapses both into `faire`, so Moroccan learners pick whichever feels right and usually pick wrong. A rule of thumb that works 90% of the time: use `do` for tasks, chores, and duties ("do your homework", "do the dishes", "do business"); use `make` for things you create or produce ("make a decision", "make breakfast", "make a mistake"). Memorize ten common pairs and you will sound instantly more natural.

3. "I visited Casablanca since 2 years" instead of "2 years ago"

`Since` marks a starting point ("I have lived in El Jadida since 2020"). `Ago` measures distance back from now ("I moved here 4 years ago"). If you can replace the time expression with a specific date, use `since`. If you are counting backwards from today, use `ago`. Getting this right instantly lifts your score on speaking tests.

4. "I like the music" instead of "I like music"

When you speak about a category in general — music, football, coffee, education — English drops the article. `Al-musiqa` in Arabic keeps `al`, and French keeps `la musique`, but English says "I like music" without `the`. Add `the` back only when you mean a specific one: "I like the music in this cafe."

5. False friends like "sensible" and "eventually"

French cognates are a trap. `Sensible` in English means reasonable, not sensitive. `Eventually` means "in the end, after a delay" — not `eventuellement` (possibly). `Actually` means "in fact", not "currently". Keep a short list of your top ten faux amis on your phone and review it once a week. This one habit prevents more embarrassing moments than any grammar drill.