Grammar Tricks to Help You Score Above 130 on the Duolingo English Test 💡

Last updated on 13 Mar 2026

Feeling unsure about grammar? No worries! Here are three essential grammar rules that will make your English sound more natural and help you hit that 130+ score on the Duolingo English Test.

1. Get Subject-Verb Agreement Right 💬

Your subject and verb must match in number—a singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. But it gets tricky with words like "or" and "either...or."

✅ Rule: The verb should match the subject closest to it.

Example:
✔️ Either the teacher or the students are presenting today.
✔️ Either the students or the teacher is presenting today.

Quick Fix: If two subjects are connected by "or," look at the one closest to the verb and match them up!

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2. Using ‘A’ or ‘An’ the Right Way ✏️

Choosing between "a" and "an" depends on the sound of the next word, not just the first letter.

✅ Rule:

Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound.
Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound.

Examples:
✔️ I ate an apple after lunch.
✔️ She gave me a unique gift. ("Unique" starts with a vowel letter but sounds like "yoo," which is a consonant sound!)

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Quick Fix: Say the word out loud—if it sounds like it starts with a vowel, use "an."

3. Simple Past vs. Present Perfect ⏳

Many test-takers mix up these two tenses. Here's how to keep them straight:

✅ Rule:

Use Simple Past for actions that happened at a specific time (yesterday, last year, in 2020).
Use Present Perfect when the time isn’t mentioned but the action is relevant to now.

Examples:
✔️ I went to the park yesterday. (Specific time = Simple Past)
✔️ I have been to the park many times. (No specific time = Present Perfect)

Quick Fix: If there's a time word (yesterday, last week), use Simple Past! If not, use Present Perfect.

Ready to Improve Your Score? 🎯

Master these three rules, and your English will sound more polished and natural—a key factor in scoring above 130 on the DET!

Want to practice? Try writing sample sentences or use AI tools like ChatGPT to refine your grammar. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be!

🚀 Good luck! Every small improvement brings you closer to your goal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I choose the correct verb when two subjects are connected by "or" or "either...or"?

The verb should match the subject closest to it. For example: Either the teacher or the students are presenting today and Either the students or the teacher is presenting today.

How do I know whether to use "a" or "an" before a word?

Choose based on the sound of the next word, not just the first letter: use "a" before consonant sounds and "an" before vowel sounds. For example: an apple, but a unique gift because "unique" sounds like it starts with "yoo."

When should I use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect?

Use Simple Past for actions that happened at a specific time (like yesterday, last year, in 2020), and use Present Perfect when the time isn’t mentioned but the action is relevant now. For example: I went to the park yesterday vs. I have been to the park many times.

How can these three grammar rules help me score above 130 on the Duolingo English Test (DET)?

Mastering subject-verb agreement, correct use of "a/an," and choosing between Simple Past and Present Perfect will make your English sound more polished and natural, which the post highlights as a key factor in scoring above 130 on the DET.