Top 10 Grammar Mistakes That Can Lower Your Score on the Duolingo English Test

Last updated on 06 Feb 2025

Grammatical accuracy? Could somebody please exlain that to me? Getting grammar rules right so that your words flow smoothly and you're understood perfectly, every time! Even minor mistakes can significantly impact your subscore in grammatical complexity, particularly in the writing and speaking sections. Here are the some of the common mistakes.

1. Misplaced Modifiers ✏️

Modifiers add detail to a sentence, but when misplaced, they create confusion and can lower your score by disrupting clarity.

Incorrect: Eager to finish the task, the report was completed by the manager.
Correct: Eager to finish the task, the manager completed the report.
Tip: Keep modifiers close to the nouns they describe.

2. Subject-Verb Agreement 🔄

Proper alignment between the subject and verb in number is crucial for accuracy.

Incorrect: The team are preparing for the match.
Correct: The team is preparing for the match.

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Tip: Watch for collective nouns and match them correctly with singular or plural verbs.

3. Homophones 🚦

Homophones sound alike but have different meanings and spellings, leading to mistakes.

Incorrect: Their going to watch a movie.
Correct: They’re going to watch a movie.
Tip: Review your use of homophones to ensure accuracy.

4. Misplaced Apostrophes 📌

Apostrophes are often misused in possessives and plurals, impacting clarity.

Incorrect: The company’s values are important to it’s success.
Correct: The company’s values are important to its success.
Tip: Remember, possessive pronouns don't require apostrophes.

Boost Your Duolingo English Test Score with Strategic Use of Adjectives and Adverbs

5. Run-On Sentences ✍️

Run-on sentences can be confusing and affect readability.

Incorrect: The presentation was long it covered many topics.
Correct: The presentation was long, and it covered many topics.

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Tip: Use commas, conjunctions, or periods to separate independent clauses properly.

6. Confusing Adverbs and Adjectives 🌱

Mixing up adverbs and adjectives can disrupt the flow of your sentences.

Incorrect: She plays the violin beautiful.
Correct: She plays the violin beautifully.
Tip: Adjectives describe nouns; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

7. Verb Form Confusion with "Lay" and "Lie" 🛌

These verbs often cause confusion and can affect clarity and accuracy.

Incorrect: I am going to lay down on the sofa.
Correct: I am going to lie down on the sofa.
Tip: Remember, "lay" requires an object; "lie" does not.

Improving these areas will help enhance your grammatical complexity and accuracy, directly contributing to a higher score on the Duolingo English Test. For further practice, consider exploring DET Study’s extensive collection of exercises focused on these common grammar challenges.

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