Removing “possible” or “suspected” can turn a tentative statement into a confirmed fact. Those words may be essential to the meaning.
The first case in High-Band OET Writing for Nurses includes suspected findings and an assessment still awaited. This guide practises certainty in writing with a non-clinical example.
Read the qualification with the main statement
Do not treat uncertainty words as optional decoration. Identify which part of the statement they qualify.
Original technical notes
Possible connection fault; technical review pending.
Accurate: “A connection fault is suspected, and a technical review is pending.”
Unsupported: “A connection fault has been confirmed.”
Keep different levels separate
One part of the notes may be confirmed while another remains uncertain. Avoid applying the same level of certainty to every item in a combined sentence.
Identify the confirmed detail
Notes: File received; possible formatting problem.
The receipt is confirmed. The formatting problem is possible. A faithful sentence preserves both statuses.
Check the summary for stronger wording
Words such as “shows,” “proves” and “confirms” may be too strong if the source says “suggests.” Compare the verbs as well as the nouns.
Practise revising three sentences with different degrees of certainty. The aim is accurate reporting, not making an independent diagnosis or resolving uncertainty that the task leaves open.
Explore OET Writing for Nurses — Course 2 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 Nurses — Course 2
Explore the complete course outline and related practice topics.
Source: OET NUR WR 04.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.