Dr.

 J.  Howe  

Neurosurgeon  

PA  Hospital  

Wooloongabba  

12.09.2010  

Dear  Dr.  Howe:  

Re:  Mr.  Arthur  Benson,  D.O.B.  15.04.85.  

 
Comment: This  comma  is  not  required,  so  
I  am  writing  to  refer  Mr.  Benson,  a  26  year  computer  programmer,  who   just  remember  the  pattern  for  introductions  
has  sign  and  symptoms  consistent  with  a  subdural  haematoma  and   For  more  details,    review  Relative  Clauses  
in  the  Grammar  and  Vocabulary  Clinic  
might  need  an  MRI  to  confirm  the  diagnosis.  

Mr.  Benson  is  married  and  has  twin  boys  aged  6  months.  He  has  been  
taking  steroid  inhaler  since  his  childhood  for  bronchial  asthma.  He  has  a  
family  history  of  stroke  and  diabetes.  

He  visited  me  on  25.08.2010  complaining  of  headache  for  2  months  

which  was  associated  with  a  mild  sensation  of  pins  and  needles.  He  had  
Comment: You  almost  got  this  right,  but    
has  a  car  accident  3  months  previously  for  which  he  was  admitted  for  24   your  verb  form  is  incorrect,  use  past  perfect  
hours.  A    CT  scan  was  normal.  On  examination,  his  BMI  was  32,  and   •..he  had  had  a  car  accident  
•For  more  details,    review Past  Perfect  and  
lumber  lordosis  and  mild  left  hand  weakness  were  detected.  He  was   Reported  Speech  in  the  Grammar  and  
Vocabulary  Clinic  
advised  to  reduce  weight,  to  increase  exercise  and  to  rest  for  2  weeks.    

Panadol  two  tablets  on  need  was  prescribed.  

 
On  his  next  visit  after  2  weeks,  he  was  feeling  better  and  he  had  been  
walking  three  times  a  week.  He  had  lost  3  kg.  

 
Comment: Incorrect  verb  form  
On  review  today,  the  headaches  have  been  worsened  over  the  last  3   •Headaches  have  worsened  (been  
days  and  they  have  been  associated  with  nausea,  dizziness  and  blurred   worsened  is  passive)  As  you  do  not  write  
the  cause  of  the  worsening  headache,  use  
vision.  The  pain  was  not  responding  to  Panadol.  On  examination  the   active  tense  
Note,  with  passive  you  could  say..the  
blood  pressure  was  160/70  and  the  pulse  rate  was  98  beats  per  minute.   headaches  have  been  worsened  by  stress  
I  hope  that  is  clear  
He  was  an  able  to  read  the  2nd  line  of  the  eye  chart  and  a  blurred  optic   •For  more  details,    review Active  and  
disc  margin  was  detected.  He  had  also  mild  weakness  and  loss  on   Passive  Verb  Formation  in  the  Grammar  
and  Vocabulary  Clinic  
sensation  in  the  medial  aspect  on  the  left  hand  which  was  associated    
Comment: Incorrect  word  order  
with  loss  of  wrist  reflexes.   •He  also  had  mild  weakness  
Comment: Incorrect  preposistion.  Replace  
I  would  appreciate  your  further  assessment  and  management  of  Mr.   with:  loss  of  

Benton’s  Benson’s  condition.  

Sincerely  yours  

Dr  Shatha  

Comments  &  Feedback  

• A  very  good  letter  is  many  ways  and  I  think  you  are  in  low  B  range  
because  the  strengths  outweigh  the  weaknesses  and  the  content  and  
organisation  are  both  excellent,  as  usual.  
• In  this  letter,  verb  use  was  still  a  hard  part  for  you,  so  you  need  to  review  
further.  Refer  to  the  Grammar  and  Vocabulary  Clinic  for  more  details  and  
grammar  tips  and  I  recommend  the  following  websites  for  review  of  verb  
tenses  

• www.ego4u.com  

• http://www.englishpage.com