OET Writing Linkers: How to Use “As Well As” Correctly

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In OET Writing, linkers help you add information clearly and safely. OET Writing linkers like “as well as” are very common in letters, but they are also a common source of errors. In this lesson, you’ll learn exactly how to use “as well as” so your lists stay clear, accurate and easy for the reader to follow.

What “As Well As” Really Does in OET Writing

“As well as” is an addition linker. We use it to add extra information to a sentence, just like “and”. Many OET candidates choose “as well as” because they feel they have used “and” too much and want variety in OET Writing.

However, “as well as” does not behave in exactly the same way as “and”, especially when you are:

• Listing symptoms, background information or treatment
• Listing actions in a request paragraph
• Using more than two items in a list

To use this linker safely in OET Writing, you need to understand how lists work and what must follow “as well as”.

Noun Lists vs Verb Lists

First, think about the difference between noun listing and verb listing.

Noun listing (one verb, many nouns)

Here we have one verb, followed by several noun items:

Paul ate a chocolate bar, an orange and an apple.

• Verb: ate
• Items: a chocolate bar, an orange, an apple

This is a classic X, Y and Z structure.

Verb listing (one subject, many verbs)

Now we keep the same subject but have several verb phrases:

I woke up at six, went to the shop and spoke to my friend.

• Items: woke up at six, went to the shop, spoke to my friend

Again, this is X, Y and Z, but here each item is a verb phrase.

Using “And” in Simple OET Lists

In many OET Writing tasks, you will list symptoms or problems. “And” is perfect for this:

Mr Smith presented with chest pain and shortness of breath.

If you have three items, you can extend the same pattern:

Mr Smith presented with chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness.

Structure with “and”:

• X, Y and Z
• Example: chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness

This structure is clear, safe and completely acceptable in OET Writing.

How “As Well As” Changes the List Structure

Here is where many candidates make mistakes with OET Writing linkers. They try to use “as well as” inside the same pattern as “and”. For example:

Mr Smith presented with chest pain, shortness of breath as well as dizziness. ✖

This is not correct because “as well as” follows a different pattern. The correct structure is:

• X and Y as well as Z

So a correct sentence would be:

Mr Smith presented with chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as dizziness. ✔

Sentence frames you can reuse

• Mr/Mrs/Ms [Surname] presented with X and Y, as well as Z.
• He/She is experiencing X and Y, as well as Z.
• He/She reported X and Y, as well as Z.

Common pitfalls with list structure

• Placing “as well as” directly between Y and Z in an “X, Y and Z” pattern
• Forgetting to use “and” before the second item
• Creating long, crowded lists with four or more items

Safe strategy: Keep lists to a maximum of three items and use either a simple “X, Y and Z” pattern with “and”, or “X and Y, as well as Z”.

Why “As Well As” Needs a Noun (or Noun-Like) Form

“As well as” behaves like a preposition. A key rule in English is that prepositions are followed by nouns or noun phrases, not plain verbs.

Request example with “and”

Imagine a request to a nurse:

Could you please monitor Mr Smith’s blood sugar and encourage exercise?

• Verb items: monitor, encourage

Extending to three verbs with “and”

Could you please monitor Mr Smith’s blood sugar, encourage exercise and advise him to eat more fresh food?

• Verb items: monitor, encourage, advise

Again, this is the safe “X, Y and Z” pattern.

Adding “As Well As” to a verb list

Now look at what happens when we try to add “as well as”:

Could you please monitor Mr Smith’s blood sugar as well as encourage exercise? ✖

This is wrong because “encourage” after “as well as” is just a verb, not a noun phrase.

To fix it, we must change the verb into a gerund (verb + -ing) so it becomes a noun-like form:

Could you please monitor Mr Smith’s blood sugar as well as encouraging exercise? ✔

Three actions with “as well as”

We also need to keep the correct list structure:

Could you please monitor Mr Smith’s blood sugar and encourage exercise, as well as advising him to eat more fresh food? ✔

• X: monitor Mr Smith’s blood sugar
• Y: encourage exercise
• Z: advising him to eat more fresh food

Verb + “as well as” frames

• Could you please X and Y, as well as Z-ing… ?
• Please X and Y, as well as Z-ing…
• He/She is currently X-ing and Y-ing, as well as Z-ing…

Typical errors to avoid

• Using a plain verb after “as well as” (e.g. as well as advise ✖)
• Mixing “and” and “as well as” without adjusting word forms
• Putting several long passive verb phrases plus “as well as” in the same sentence

When to Avoid “As Well As” in OET Writing

Even though “as well as” is one of the common OET Writing linkers, you do not have to use it in your letter. The most important thing is clarity for the reader.

Consider avoiding “as well as” when:

• You are not 100% comfortable with gerunds (verb + -ing as a noun)
• Your sentence already contains passive structures or long noun phrases
• You have more than three items in a list

On exam day, it is better to use simple “and” correctly than to take risks with complex structures. A clear, shorter sentence will score better than a long, confusing one.

Quick Practice: Test Your “As Well As” Skills

Task 1 – Correct the list structure

Rewrite using “as well as” correctly.

1. Mr Brown presented with shoulder pain, reduced range of movement as well as swelling.
2. She is experiencing insomnia, low mood as well as reduced appetite.

Sample answers (one of several possible correct versions):

• Mr Brown presented with shoulder pain and reduced range of movement, as well as swelling.
• She is experiencing insomnia and low mood, as well as reduced appetite.

Task 2 – Change the verb after “as well as”

Rewrite so that the word after “as well as” is a gerund (-ing form).

1. Please monitor her fluid intake as well as record her weight daily.
2. Could you supervise mobilising, as well as encourage her to use the walking frame?

Sample answers (suggested):

• Please monitor her fluid intake as well as recording her weight daily.
• Could you supervise mobilising, as well as encouraging her to use the walking frame?

Task 3 – Build a safe OET sentence

Use the frame to create your own sentence:

• He/She presented with X and Y, as well as Z.
• Please X and Y, as well as Z-ing.

Try writing one example for a timeline/background paragraph and one for a request paragraph.

Key Takeaways for “As Well As” in OET Writing

• Function: “As well as” is an addition linker used to add information.
• List structure: Use X and Y, as well as Z, not “X, Y as well as Z”.
• Word form: After “as well as”, use a noun or gerund (verb + -ing), not a plain verb.
• Clarity first: If you are unsure, use simple “and” and shorter lists.
• Limit lists: Keep lists to a maximum of three items to avoid confusion.

If you focus on these points, “as well as” will become a safe, effective part of your OET Writing linkers toolkit instead of a risky structure.

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