VERBS IN OET WRITING
Key Verbs for OET: Entering a Clinic or Hospital
In the Occupational English Test (OET), which assesses language proficiency for healthcare professionals, certain verbs are commonly used to describe when patients enter a clinical setting. Here are some essential verbs you can use in OET writing related to entering a clinic or hospital:
- Admitted: This verb is used when a patient is officially accepted into a hospital for treatment or observation. For example, "Mrs Smith was admitted to the hospital for further tests."
- Presented: In medical contexts, "presented" refers to how a patient's symptoms or condition are observed or described upon arrival. For instance, "Mr Jones presented with severe abdominal pain.
- Visited: When patients go to a clinic or hospital for consultation or examination, the verb "visited" is appropriate. For instance, "Mrs Richards visited the specialist for a follow-up appointment."
- Returned: This verb is used when a patient comes back to a healthcare facility for additional treatment, follow-up, or review. For example, "Mr Smith returned to the clinic after completing the prescribed medication."
- Brought: When someone accompanies a patient to a clinic or hospitalthe verb "brought" is used. For instance, "Joshua was brought by his mother to the clinic."
PROBLEMS: Do we use ACTIVE or PASSIVE with these verbs? Do we say “was admitted” or “admitted”? Do we say “to” after the verb or not? Do we say “admitted to” or just “admitted”?
Here is a great video explaining more about these things: WATCH LIVE CLASS ON THIS
You can also see the diagram from the class here:
ADMIT |
Allow someone to go inside PASSIVE Hospital only |
Mr Green was admitted to our hospital |
PRESENT |
To show yourself / walk in (you need to walk into the place and to show) ACTIVE Clinic or hospital |
Mr Green presented to our clinic Mr Green presented to our hospital |
VISIT |
To go / to attend ACTIVE Clinic only |
MR Green visited our clinic |
RETURN |
Go back / come back |
Mr Green returned to our clinic |
BROUGHT |
To help them go to the place PASSIVE Clinic or hospital |
John was brought by his son |