​Common Errors with Gustar

​•Mistake #1

•DO NOT SAY: “Me gusta corriendo”.

•DO SAY: “Me gusta correr”.

•In other words, do not say in Spanish  “I like running”. Do say “I like to run”.

•RULE: If you are talking about an activity you like, follow gustar with the infinitive form of the verb (“to run”) rather than the present participle (“running”).

​Common Errors with Gustar

​•Mistake # 2

•DO NOT SAY: “A ellos les gustan acampar”

•DO SAY: “A ellos les gusta acampar”.

•RULE: Make sure that the verb gustar reflects the quantity of what is being liked (“to camp” is a single thing and is a verb), not the quantity of the people doing the liking.

Common Errors with Gustar

​•Mistake # 3

•DO NOT SAY: “A mí me gustan piñas”.

•DO SAY: “A mí me gustan las piñas”.

•In other words, do not say in Spanish , “I like pineapples. Do say, “I like the pineapples”, even when you are talking about pineapples in general.

•RULE: If what you like is a noun, always include the correct form of “the”

​Common Errors with Gustar

​•Mistake # 4

•DO NOT SAY: “Me gusta Jorge”

•DO SAY: “Jorge me cae bien”

•RULE: Avoid using gustar to talk about liking people. If you say “Me gusta Jorge”, people will assume that you find Jorge attractive!. If you just like Jorge as a friend, find some other way to express your affection towards him. “Me cae bien” is a much more neutral phrase to express positive feelings towards an acquaintance or friend. Similarly, if you don’t like someone, you can use the phrase, “Me cae mal”, as in “Jorge me cae mal”