100 Errors in OET Writing

Below are some common errors you commit in OET Writing. Learn them carefully.

She was commenced antibiotics.

• Correct: She commenced antibiotics.
• Reason: Use the active voice.

Similar Errors:

• She was administered antibiotics. (Should be “Antibiotics were administered”).
• She was prescribed Metformin. (Should be, “Metformin was prescribed”).
• He was initiated physiotherapy. (Should be, “Physiotherapy was initiated”).

She had pain in abdomen.

• Correct: She had pain in the abdomen.
• Reason: Use “the” before body parts.

She had a history of Appendectomy.

• Correct: She has a history of appendectomy.
• Reason: History is always present; only the event can be in the past.

He has allergic for penicillin.

• Correct: He is allergic to penicillin.
• Reason: Use is before an adjective form.
• Other forms: He has allergy to penicillin.

The patient is not suffering from any other condition.

• Correct: Mr Parker does not have any other condition.
• Reason: We cannot use words like “suffer”, “patient”, etc.
• Other words to avoid: Obese, greatly, overweight.

She is undergoing for surgery.

• Correct: She is undergoing surgery.
• Reason: No need for “for.”

The patient was advised for surgery.

• Correct: She was advised to undergo surgery.
• Reason: Avoid “patient.” Use “to” for advice.

Mr Parker is suffering from diabetes.

• Correct: Mr Parker has had diabetes.
• Reason: We avoid “suffer” and its forms.

M Reeta was admitted on yesterday.

• Correct: Ms Reeta was admitted yesterday.
• Reason: We do not use “on” with “today, yesterday, tomorrow.”

She was undergone an MRI.

• Correct: She underwent an MRI.
• Reason: “Undergone” is used with “has, have or had.”

He was treated with a physiotherapist.

• Correct: He was treated by a physiotherapist.
• Reason: By + people; with + things.
• Examples: Treated by a doctor. Treated with antacids.

She is a diabetic since 10 years.

• Correct: She has been a diabetic for 10 years.
• Reason: Use “for” with durations.

He was complaining about headache.

• Correct: He was complaining of a headache.
• Reason: Use “of” with complaints.

Mr Parker refused any history of hypertension.

• Correct: The patient denied any history of hypertension.
• Reason: Refuse and deny are not the same.

She was given an analgesic.

• Correct: She was given analgesics.
• Reason: Use plural for types of medication.

Mr Roy showed signs of fever and cough.

• Correct: The patient showed signs of fever and a cough.
• Reason: Use “a” for singular countable nouns.

Mr Bill was asked for further tests.

• Correct: Mr Bill was asked to undergo further tests.
• Reason: Use “to” for requests.

She was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

• Correct: She was discharged yesterday.
• Reason: Contextually, the hospital can be omitted if it’s clear.

Ms Roy required a blood test for diagnose.

• Correct: The patient required a blood test for diagnosis.
• Reason: Use “diagnosis” for noun form.

His chronic pain was improved.

• Correct: His chronic pain improved.
• Reason: “Was” is unnecessary. When an action happens naturally, no passive voice.

She is taking her medication regularly.

• Correct: She takes her medication regularly.
• Reason: Use simple present for habitual actions.

He was complaining of nausea and vomiting.

• Correct: He complained of nausea and vomiting.
• Reason: Use past simple tense consistently.

She was instructed to take her medication in every day.

• Correct: The patient was instructed to take his medication every day.
• Reason: “In” is unnecessary.

She is feeling better than before.

• Correct: She feels better than before.
• Reason: Use simple present for “brain-work”.

Similar Errors:

• I am understanding. (Should be, “I understand.”)
• She is remembering. (Should be, “She remembers.”)
• I am hearing footsteps. (Should be, “I hear footsteps.”)
• It is smelling good. (Should be, “It smells good.”)

Mr Waz has complainted of shortness of breath.

• Correct: Mr Waz has complained of shortness of breath.
• Reason: There is no such word as “complainted.”
• Complain is verb. Complaint is noun.
• Sample: “I have no complaint, so how can I complain?”

He is experiencing a pain in his chest.

• Correct: He is experiencing pain in his chest.
• Reason: “A” is unnecessary before uncountable nouns.

She was provided with information regarding her condition.

• Correct: She was provided information regarding her condition.
• Reason: “With” is unnecessary.

He has pain in his leg since last week.

• Correct: He has had pain in his leg since last week.
• Reason: Present perfect continuous is needed for ongoing pain.

The doctor advised for him to lose weight.

• Correct: The doctor advised him to lose weight.
• Reason: Remove unnecessary preposition.

The patient was treated for his condition successfully.

• Correct: The patient was successfully treated for his condition.
• Reason: Adverbs should modify verbs directly.

The patient is a smoker since 5 years.

• Correct: The patient has smoked for the last 5 years.
• Reason: Do not use judgmental expressions.
• Others: Drunkard, obese, overweight, child abuser.

She is taking medication for lower her blood pressure.

• Correct: She is taking medication to lower her blood pressure.
• Reason 1: Use “to” for purpose.

Reason 2: Use “ing” form of the verb after “for, after, before, from, about, in, by,” etc.

• She has been admitted for investigating the new symptoms.”
• Mr Zac will be advised about undergoing the surgery.”