Active Voice and Passive Voice in OET Writing

Using the passive voice effectively in OET Writing is crucial for achieving a higher score. It’s not about avoiding the active voice altogether, but rather understanding when each voice is most appropriate. Here’s a detailed explanation with examples tailored to the OET context:

When to Use Passive Voice in OET Writing:

1. When the action is more important than the actor: In medical contexts, the focus is often on the procedure, treatment, or observation rather than who performed it.
   • Active: “The nurse administered the medication.”
   • Passive: “The medication was administered.” (Focus is on the administration of the medication.)
   • OET Context: In a referral letter, you might write, “A chest X-ray was performed,” rather than “I performed a chest X-ray,” as the recipient is primarily concerned with the results of the X-ray.
2. When the actor is unknown or unimportant: Sometimes, it’s not clear who performed an action, or the actor is irrelevant to the context.
   • Active (awkward): “Someone discovered penicillin in 1928.”
   • Passive: “Penicillin was discovered in 1928.” (The focus is on the discovery, not the specific person.)
   • OET Context: “Ms Mihiraa was admitted to the ward last night.” (It’s not crucial to specify which staff member admitted the patient.)
3. When you want to be more formal and objective: The passive voice is often used in formal writing, such as scientific reports and medical documentation.
   • Active: “We observed a significant improvement in Ms Mihiraa’s condition.”
   • Passive: “A significant improvement in Ms Mihiraa’s condition was observed.” (This sounds more formal and objective.)
   • OET Context: In discharge summaries or referral letters, a more formal tone is generally preferred, making the passive voice suitable.
4. When you want to maintain consistency in a text: If you’ve already used the passive voice in a previous sentence, using it again can create better flow and cohesion.
   • Example: “Ms Mihiraa was examined thoroughly. Several tests were conducted.”

When to Use Active Voice in OET Writing:

• • When the actor is important and should be emphasized: If it’s important to highlight who performed the action, use the active voice.
    • Passive (awkward): “Ms Mihiraa’s concerns were addressed by the senior consultant.”
    • Active: “The senior consultant addressed the patient’s concerns.” (This emphasizes the consultant’s role.)
    • OET Context: If you’re referring a patient to a specific specialist, you might write, “I recommend referral to Dr. Smith for further evaluation.”
  • When you want to be more direct and concise: The active voice is generally more direct and concise than the passive voice.
    • Passive: “The medication is taken three times a day by the patient.”
    • Active: “Ms Mihiraa takes the medication three times a day.” (This is shorter and more direct.)
    • OET Context: In some parts of the writing sub-test, conciseness is important, making the active voice preferable.
  • When describing actions in a sequence: The active voice can be more effective for describing a series of actions.

• Example 1 (Patient assessment): “The doctor interviewed the patient, performed a physical examination, and ordered several diagnostic tests.”

• Example 2 (Managing a medical emergency): “The paramedics arrived at the scene, assessed the patient’s condition, initiated CPR, and transported the patient to the nearest hospital.”

• Example 3 (A patient’s daily routine): “Ms Mihiraa takes their medication in the morning, attends physiotherapy sessions twice a week, and monitors their blood glucose levels daily.”

Key Takeaways for OET:

• Prioritize clarity and conciseness: Choose the voice that best conveys the information in a clear and concise manner.
• Use the passive voice strategically: Use it when the action is more important than the actor, when the actor is unknown or irrelevant, or when a more formal tone is required.
• Don’t overuse the passive voice: Overuse can make your writing sound awkward and unnatural.
• Vary your sentence structure: Use a mix of active and passive voice to create a more engaging and sophisticated writing style.

By understanding these guidelines and practicing with OET-style writing tasks, you can effectively use both active and passive voice to enhance your writing and achieve a higher score.