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Mastering Tenses in OET Writing: Key Rules & Examples for a High Score

Effective communication is one of the core competencies for health professionals, and the OET Writing sub-test is intended to test how well the candidates express medical information in English. Proper use of verb tenses is probably the most critical component of OET writing since errors in tenses can lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretation of a patient’s health status.

In this blog, we shall delve into the significance of verb tenses in OET writing, describe the most frequently employed tenses, offer OET writing examples, and common mistakes that test-takers ought to shun. Mastering verb tenses will be critical in improving your OET exam writing skills and enhancing your overall performance.

Why Tense Usage Matters in OET Writing

The OET Writing sub-test usually requires the candidates to compose a formal letter such as a referral, discharge, or transfer letter to another practitioner. The use of verb tense is an important consideration since the medical history of the patient, the present condition, and the future course of treatment should be accurately communicated.

Reasons Why Tenses Matter

Clarity: Tense correctness assists the reader in differentiating between past medical history, current conditions, and impending treatment plans.
Accuracy: Correct tense application ensures that medical occurrences are given a description that represents their true timeline.
Professionalism: A correctly worded and grammatically correct letter shows expertise and worth as a healthcare professional.

Let’s take a Look at the following OET writing example:

Incorrect: “The patient was suffering from diabetes for five years.”
Correct: “The patient has had diabetes for five years.”

The first sentence wrongly suggests that the patient’s diabetes is over, while the second rightly suggests a continuing situation.

Essential Tenses in OET Writing

1.Present Simple
Usage:

Used to state general facts, continuing conditions, and chronic illnesses.
Examples:

“The patient has hypertension.”
“He needs help with mobility.”
“The wound heals slowly.”
This tense is used for long-standing medical conditions that remain applicable.

2. Present Continuous
Usage:

Used for temporary situations, continuous treatments, or symptoms occurring at the time.
Examples:

“The patient has severe back pain.”
“She is on antibiotics for an infection.”
“He is having physiotherapy.”
This tense is convenient when describing situations that are likely to change.

3. Past Simple
Usage:

Used to indicate completed past actions, past symptoms, or past treatments.
Examples:

“The patient had an appendectomy last year.”
“She had dizziness two days ago.”
“He experienced a small stroke in 2018.”
This tense is used when reporting on medical history.

4. Present Perfect
Usage:

For events in the past that affect the present or continue to have present conditions.
Examples:

“After the last visit, the patient has been getting better.”
“She has developed a rash in the last two days.”
“He has had continuous headaches.”
This tense is very good at focusing on what is happening lately to a patient’s condition.

5. Future Simple
Use

Used to report future treatment, recommendations, or planned medical procedures.
Examples:

“The patient will be having a follow-up appointment next month.”
“She will need continuous physiotherapy.”
“His condition will be monitored during the next few weeks.”
Treatment planning and expected medical interventions involve the use of future tenses.

Choosing the Right Tense in OET Writing

Understanding the appropriate tense for each scenario is crucial for structuring your letter effectively.

Scenario
Correct Tense
Example
Chronic medical condition Chronic medical condition
Present simple
The patient has asthma
Current symptoms Current symptoms
Present continuous
She is experiencing shortness of breath
Past medical history Past medical history
Past simple
He had a heart attack in 2020
Recent Developments Recent Developments
Present perfect
She has improved since her last appointment
Future Medical Plans Future Medical Plans
Future simple
He will require long-term medication

Common Tense Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Inconsistent Use of Tenses
Incorrect: “The patient was having a fever for two weeks and is stable now.”
Correct: “The patient had a fever for two weeks but is stable now.”

There should be consistency in the tenses of a sentence.

2. Past Tense for ongoing Diseases
Incorrect: “The patient had hypertension.”
Correct: “The patient has hypertension.”

Ongoing diseases must be expressed in the present simple tense.



3. Overuse of Passive Voice
Incorrect: “The medication was given to the patient.”
Correct: “The patient received the medication.”

Active voice is more accurate and interesting compared to passive voice.

Tips to Enhance the Use of Tenses in OET Writing

1. Write Sample Case Notes
Transfer patient case notes to long referral or discharge letters utilizing the appropriate use of tenses.

2. Top-Score OET Writing Samples
Practice good OET writing samples to see the usage of verb tenses correctly.

3. Utilize Grammar Tools to Attain Correct Tenses
 Use grammar tools such as Grammarly to identify tense inconsistencies in your writing.

4. Seek Expert Feedback
Join OET coaching courses or online study groups to receive professional feedback.

5. Read Official OET Writing Guidelines
The official OET website has helpful resources for improving OET exam writing skills.

How to Apply These Techniques in an OET Writing Practice

Take, for example, a letter of referral to see how different tenses are employed:

Example Case Notes:
Patient: Mr. John Smith, aged 55
Medical History: Hypertension since 2015, knee replacement in 2020
Present Status: Severe knee pain, unable to walk
Treatment Plan: Physiotherapy, pain relief, reassessment in 4 weeks

Example OET Writing Response:

“Dear Dr. Brown,

I am writing to endorse Mr.John Smith, 55 years of age, who has been suffering from severe knee pain for the past month. He is a patient with a history of high blood pressure and had undergone knee replacement surgery in 2020. He is presently experiencing mobility difficulty due to chronic pain.

To manage his condition, he is on medication for painkillers and physiotherapy. He should be assessed at a follow-up review after four weeks to assess his progress.

Please inform me in case of need for further assessment.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. [Your Name]

The letter successfully incorporates the correct tense to communicate past, present, and future health information.

Conclusion

Mastering verb tenses is yet another key to success in the OET Writing sub-test. Appropriate application of tense allows accurate descriptions of medical occurrences to help healthcare practitioners deliver their message well.

Key takeaways:

  • Present Simple for ongoing conditions.
  • Present Continuous for temporary symptoms.
  • Past Simple for completed medical history.
  • Present Perfect for recent updates.
  • Future Simple for future treatments.

By practicing regularly and following these tense rules, you will be able to improve your OET writing skills and get a better score.

For more OET writing examples and information, check out the official OET website.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which tenses are used most frequently in OET writing?

    The most frequent tenses that are used are Present Simple, Present Continuous, Past Simple, Present Perfect, and Future Simple.

    What tense do I need to explain a patient's medical history?

    Past Simple can be employed for past completed actions, and Present Perfect is perfect for situations that began in the past and are continuing to be valid.

    How do I enhance my tense accuracy in OET writing

    Practice writing case notes into complete letters, review top-scoring OET writing samples, and seek feedback from professionals.

    Will misuse of tense influence my OET Writing score?

    Yes, grammatical accuracy, including verb tense usage, is a major criterion when the OET Writing is being marked.

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