This exam tips covers Errores frecuentes — Common Accent Errors within Stress patterns + written accents for GCSE Spanish. Revise Stress patterns + written accents in Phonics & Pronunciation (SSC) for GCSE Spanish with 11 exam-style questions and 10 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 4 of 4 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
⚠️ Errores frecuentes — Common Accent Errors
❌ Error 1: Writing hablo when you mean "he/she spoke"
✅ Correct: habló
Why it costs marks: Without the accent, hablo = I speak (present tense, 1st person). The accent on -ó marks 3rd person singular preterite — a completely different tense and person. The examiner cannot credit the wrong tense under AO3 (accuracy).
❌ Error 2: Writing ¿Que haces? (no accent on que)
✅ Correct: ¿Qué haces?
Why it costs marks: ¿Qué? (what?) always carries an accent — it is a question word. Without the accent, que = that/which (a subordinating conjunction), turning the sentence into nonsense. Accents on question words are mandatory in both writing papers.