“Occasionally” and “always” describe very different patterns. When a letter condenses several details, avoid replacing a limited report with a sweeping statement.
The first practice set in OET Writing for Pharmacists: Clinical Excellence in Letters combines occasional missed actions with a separate recent symptom history. This guide focuses on preserving frequency and duration in language.
Keep each timeframe with its fact
A duration attached to one issue does not automatically apply to every item in the paragraph. Identify which action or report each time phrase modifies.
Original learning example
Notes: Occasionally misses the weekly review; has reported connection problems for two weeks.
Accurate: “She occasionally misses the weekly review and has reported connection problems over the past two weeks.”
Unsupported: “She has missed every review for two weeks.”
Check words that intensify
Always, never, constant and persistent can strengthen a statement. Use them only when they match the notes, not simply because they sound fluent.
Revise the overstatement
Notes: Sometimes submits work late.
Draft: “He never submits work on time.”
Revision: “He sometimes submits work late.” The revision preserves the limited frequency.
Compare the final summary
A broad opening sentence can contradict precise detail later in the letter. Review both for consistency.
Try a focused edit: highlight frequency expressions in one colour and durations in another. Check that every expression remains attached to the correct information after you combine or shorten sentences.
Explore OET Writing for Pharmacists — Course 1 to see the course outline, current availability and enrolment options. Use the worked exercise above to identify a skill you would like to practise next.
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OET Writing for Pharmacists — Course 1
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Source: 61 OET Pharmacy writing.epub, Jobins Training. Examples labelled original or illustrative were written for this article. Independent exam preparation; no affiliation with or endorsement by the examining body. Practice does not predict an official score.