Using addition linkers in writing is essential for creating coherence and smoothly connecting ideas. The below are addition linkers which are suitable for OET writing:
- and
- Additionally
- In addition
- In addition to
- Also
- Along with
- Together with
- As well as
All of these linkers allow the writer to add more information to a sentence or a paragraph, in the form of lists or multi-clause sentences. However, these linkers are not all used in the same way. They can have different grammar, punctuation and even meanings, and it is important to learn how to use each of them.
In this blog you can learn about ‘as well as’ – a linker that is commonly used by OET writers but also causes a lot of errors! It is a complex linker, that seems similar to ‘and’ but has some aspects that make it difficult to master.
This post will cover the one of these aspects: Listing
Can you see the problem here:
Mr Smith presented with shortness of breath, chest pain, as well as a rash.
If not, please look at the following table:
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This is a typical list, using ‘and’: Mr Smith presented with shortness of breath, chest pain and a rash. The pattern is: x, y and z
This is an ‘as well as’ list: Mr Smith presented with shortness of breath and chest pain, as well as a rash. The pattern is: x and y, as well as z |
It's very easy to make the mistake above but it is just as easy to get it right!
Here is a video that explains it: As Well As Class
Remember that practising your grammar will help you in all areas of the OET exam but addition linkers are especially useful in the Writing subtest.
Best of luck!
Paul
1 comment
Good explanation. Thanks