Think Your English-Speaking Friends Can Fix Your Writing? Think Again!

We all know how tricky writing in English can be—especially when it’s not your first language. So, when you need help, it makes sense to ask your native English-speaking friends. After all, they’ve been speaking English their whole lives. They must know what they’re doing, right?

But here’s the problem. While it might be okay to ask your friends for help in certain situations, relying on them for writing advice can lead to some surprising mistakes. What works in a casual conversation doesn’t always translate into clear, professional writing. In fact, taking their advice could end up causing more problems than it solves—especially in formal contexts like academic papers or business emails.

Before you trust your important documents to a friend’s suggestions, let’s explore the real pros and cons of this approach. You might just find that turning to an editing service like TextRanch is the better way to ensure your writing shines.

The pros of asking friends for help

1. It’s free!
When you’re trying to save money, getting free help from a friend who speaks English well can seem like the perfect solution.

2. It’s quick and easy.
Need help in a hurry? A quick text or email to your friend might seem like the fastest way to get answers.

3. Your friends can teach you how native speakers really talk.
This is especially helpful if you are struggling with slang, swear words, idioms, or casual phrases you don’t find in textbooks.

4. If you work or go to school together, your friends are familiar with the context.

Let’s say you’re taking a course at a university and you have a big assignment due soon. The native English speakers in the class all seem to understand what they’re expected to do, but you aren’t 100 percent sure. Before you schedule a meeting with your professor, it’s a good idea to reach out to one of your classmates for advice.

5. Non-native speakers can better understand certain issues.

What about friends who are not native English speakers? Should you go to them when you need help with English?

Sometimes, yes, a non-native speaker can provide invaluable assistance, especially if you share a common first language, or if you have a common goal such as passing the IELTS exam.

You may feel less self-conscious practicing new words or discussing your problems with someone who has been in the same boat. A non-native speaker might also be able to provide more insights as to why you are having difficulty with a particular aspect of the English language.

The cons of relying on friends

1. They’re not experts.
Your English-speaking friends might be great when it comes to helping you understand Hollywood movies or rap music lyrics, but do they really know how to polish your business emails or edit the personal statement you need to get into graduate school? Probably not.

2. There might be a mismatch in terms of dialect or style.
The English language has countless dialects and regional variations. What sounds “natural” to your English-speaking friend might be incorrect or unsuitable in terms of what’s typically expected in a professional setting.

3. Your friends might not understand formal tone.
Friends tend to be best at helping with informal, everyday language. However, formal writing requires a specific tone. Your friends might suggest phrases or words that sound too casual. This could weaken your writing or make it sound inconsistent.

4. They might not fully understand what you’re trying to achieve with your writing.
Whether you’re aiming for a professional, academic, or specific cultural tone, your friends may give advice that doesn’t align with your goals. They might not be aware of what exactly your audience is expecting from you.

5. Even native speakers make mistakes!
Without the proper training, your friends could accidentally give you advice that leads to awkward phrases, unclear sentences, or outright errors in your writing. Imagine handing in an important paper or business proposal with a lot of mistakes!

6. Your friends might be busy or unavailable when you really need them.

Let’s say you have a friend with sufficient knowledge and skills to help you with your English writing. That’s great, but this person surely has their own projects, deadlines, personal relationships, and other responsibilities. They can’t always drop whatever they’re doing to read and correct your writing.

Also, if the same friend keeps helping you with your writing over and over again, it could put a strain on your relationship—especially if they are doing a lot of work for free. Your friend would probably rather spend that time doing more fun things with you, like going out for coffee, seeing a movie, or playing basketball.

How TextRanch can help

Are you ready to give your friends a break and seek help from a professional? At TextRanch, we have a whole team of English experts!

Some of the advantages of working with TextRanch are:

• Our editors are fully versed in the rules of grammar, punctuation, and style.
• Whether it’s a “business casual” email to a colleague or a PhD thesis, the editors at TextRanch will make sure your entire piece strikes the right tone from start to finish.
• We offer a Quick Text editing service for emails and short essays and Document Editing for longer or more elaborate works.
• Our Ask an Editor service can provide answers to even your toughest questions about the English language.
• Since our TextRanch editors are located in different time zones, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Are you a business owner with many employees who need help with their written English? TextRanch offers a special package tailored exclusively to companies.
• You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your English writing is the best it can be!

Testimony from a real TextRanch customer

“What I like most about TextRanch is that I can have my texts fixed quickly by reliable native-speakers of English. I have some unreliable Americans around me who often give me irrelevant answers to my questions, which has never happened in TextRanch.”

When you need your English writing to be clear, professional, and error-free, it’s worth investing in an expert instead of depending on your friends. Why take chances when you can ensure your writing is top-notch from the start? Click the blue box below and see how we can help you take your English writing to the next level!