Problem: physio writers default wholesale — all-active letters that read like diaries, or all-passive letters where nobody does anything. Answer in brief: active reports what people do (patient efforts, your requests); passive reports what was done to structures (procedures, findings) — choose per sentence by asking who acts. This guide teaches deliberate voice choice with tense-consistency rules, and OET Writing for Physiotherapists — Course 2 trains voice and tense clarity across 12 topic sections.
Passive basics: where it belongs
Passive fits three slots: procedures (“The joint was mobilised grade III”), findings received (“She was found to have reduced proprioception”), arrangements made (“Hydrotherapy has been booked twice weekly”). Each needs its agent recoverable or irrelevant — dated, or by-role (“by the surgical team”). Passive anywhere else hides responsibility the letter owes its reader.
Active vs passive: the who-acts test
Per sentence, ask who acts. Patient acts → active (“She climbs stairs with supervision”). You request → active (“I would appreciate…”, “Please review…”). Structure was treated → passive (“The shoulder was injected last month”). Finding emerged → either, by emphasis (“Examination revealed…” spotlights you; “Reduced range was noted…” spotlights the finding). Mixed deliberately, the letter breathes; defaulted either way, it drones.
Train voice choice supervised? The full OET Writing for Physiotherapists — Course 2 teaches passive basics, active-vs-passive decisions and tense clarity across 12 topic sections with 68 lessons and mock tests. Explore the course →
Tense clarity and consistency rules
One paragraph, one time-zone — the consistency rule that prevents most slips. Transition sentences carry explicit time markers (“Since discharge…”, “At today’s review…”, “Going forward…”) so zone changes are announced, never smuggled. Audit each paragraph’s verbs in the checking minutes: any verb outside the zone gets moved or re-tensed. Consistency is scored as control; control is scored as Language.
Worked example: rehab progress letter
Fictional case, newly written: Mr Osei, 63, post-stroke left weakness, six weeks into community rehab; walking 100 metres with stick (was 20 — present perfect); stairs supervised; shoulder pain 4/10 limiting overhead work; shoulder X-ray normal last week; motivated; wife supporting exercises.
Voice in action: active for his efforts (“He walks…”, “He practises…”); passive for the X-ray and prescribed programme (“was reported normal”, “has been progressed to…”); active request to close. Zones marked and held. Roughly 180 words; every sentence knows who acts and when.
FAQs
What active-passive ratio should I aim for?
Roughly two-to-one active — enough passive for professional texture, enough active for agency and requests. Count once in practice to calibrate, then write by feel.
Is first person (“I”) acceptable?
In requests and stated actions, yes: “I have referred…”, “I would appreciate…”. Ownership language strengthens handover; false impersonality weakens it.
What is in the course?
Twelve topic sections on passive basics, active-vs-passive choice and tense clarity, with 68 lessons and 5 complete mock tests.
The matching course
OET Writing for Physiotherapists — Course 2 puts every sentence under control: voice chosen by who acts, tenses zoned and consistent — 12 topic sections, 68 lessons, 5 mock tests. If your letters drone, voice-train here.
Sources and note
- OET Writing format per the official OET site: oet.com — Writing. Check current format guidance before the exam.
- Course details verified from its public staging page (read-only): 12 topic sections, 68 lessons, 5 mock tests.
- Case and letter lines are newly written and fictional; other valid structures exist.
Put this into practice
Compare these course outlines and choose the practice that matches your next goal.
