A vague verb can make the reader work harder to understand a sentence. Replacing it is useful only when the new wording preserves the facts.
The professional-language guidance in OET Writing for Medicine: Expert-Level Practice warns against vague expressions. This guide practises precision with administrative examples.
Ask what actually happened
“Got help” could mean that help was requested, offered or received. Look at the notes before selecting a more specific verb.
Original editing example
Vague: “The office dealt with the booking.”
Notes: Booking moved from Monday to Thursday; learner informed.
Precise: “The office moved the booking to Thursday and informed the learner.”
Avoid replacing vagueness with invention
If the notes say only that a request was reviewed, “approved” adds a decision. A stronger-sounding verb is not better when it changes the action.
Choose the supported verb
Notes: Application received; decision pending.
Correct: “The office received the application.”
Unsupported: “The office accepted the application.”
Check the actor
A precise verb still needs a clear subject when responsibility matters. Identify who sent, reviewed or confirmed the item rather than leaving the reader to infer it.
Underline vague phrases in a draft and revise them one at a time. Compare each revision with the notes. The aim is direct, accurate language, not unnecessarily elaborate vocabulary.
Explore OET Writing for Doctors — Course 6 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 Doctors — Course 6
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Source: OET MED WR 02.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.