Replacing Vague and Repetitive Language in B2 Spanish Writing

In this lesson, you will edit B2 Spanish writing to make reference and meaning more precise. You will replace vague nouns and general verbs when a more exact word improves the text, reduce repetition that adds no value, and preserve repetition when it is necessary to keep the topic or reference clear.

Identify vague nouns

Vague:

— There are several things that affect the service.

More precise:

— There are several factors that affect the service.

Factores tells the reader what kind of “things” are meant.

Replace cosa when the category is known

Vague:

— The first thing we should review is the cost.

More precise:

— The first aspect we should review is the cost.

Replace general verbs

Vague:

— The company did an analysis of the data.

More precise and natural:

— The company carried out an analysis of the data.

Both are understandable, but realizó is a stronger formal collocation here.

Another general verb

Vague:

— The report has three recommendations.

More precise:

— The report presents three recommendations.

Reduce empty repetition

Repetitive:

— The main problem is waiting time. This waiting-time problem affects users, and this problem also affects staff.

Improved:

— The main problem is waiting time. This situation affects both users and staff.

But do not remove every repetition

Sometimes repeating the key noun protects clarity.

Clear:

— The report compares cost, capacity, and waiting time. Cost is lower in option B, but capacity is also lower.

Replacing every noun with esto or eso could make the reference unclear.

Fix vague pronoun reference

Unclear:

— Marta spoke with Ana about the proposal when she was worried about the cost.

Who was worried?

Clear:

— Marta spoke with Ana about the proposal because Marta was worried about the cost.

Replace repeated decir when function differs

Repetitive:

— The author says that data are missing. He also says the sample is small and says it would be better to repeat the study.

Improved:

— The author points out that data are missing, warns that the sample is small, and recommends repeating the study.

The replacement verbs clarify the function of each statement.

Do not use stronger verbs than the source justifies

If the source merely suggests an idea, replacing sugerir with demostrar would change the evidential strength.

Original:

— The data suggest a possible relationship.

Too strong:

— The data prove a relationship.

Use reference expressions carefully

Useful options:

— this measure
— this result
— the aforementioned proposal
— this problem
— the first option

Choose the noun that tells the reader what the referent is.

Before and after

Before:

— The report talks about several things. It says there is a problem with the rooms and says that this problem does negative things for employees. It also says there is something that could be done.

After:

— The report analyzes several factors. It points out that the lack of available rooms increases employee waiting times and proposes testing shorter meetings during the highest-demand period.

A practical editing method

Underline vague nouns such as cosa, tema, or problema when a more exact category is available.
Circle general verbs such as hacer, tener, or decir when a more precise collocation would help.
Remove repetition that adds no new meaning.
Keep repetition when it protects topic continuity or reference clarity.
Replace vague pronouns with a clear noun phrase when the antecedent is uncertain.
Do not strengthen the original meaning merely to avoid repetition.
Read the edited text again to confirm that cohesion has not been lost.

From Precise Writing to Explaining New Concepts

You can now make B2 writing more precise without weakening cohesion. The next lesson is a speaking task in which you explain an unfamiliar concept through examples and comparisons.