Strengthening a Report with Evidence | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: In a workplace feedback session, two adults discuss strengthening a report with more evidence before it is shared widely..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Strengthening a Report with Evidence to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Quería hablar sobre el informe antes de compartirlo ampliamente.

keh-REE-ah ah-BLAR SOH-breh el een-FOR-meh AN-tehs deh kohm-par-TEER-loh ahm-PLYAH-men-teh. I wanted to discuss the report before it is shared widely.
B

Sospechaba que algunas secciones podrían necesitar más evidencia.

sohs-peh-CHAH-bah keh al-GOO-nahs sehk-SYOH-nehs poh-DREE-an neh-seh-see-TAR mahs eh-bee-DEN-syah. I suspected some sections might need more evidence.
A

El argumento es sólido, pero las recomendaciones parecen carecer de respaldo.

el ar-goo-MEN-toh es SOH-lee-doh, peh-roh lahs reh-koh-men-dah-SYOH-nehs pah-REH-sen kah-reh-SER deh reh-SPAL-doh. The argument is strong, but the recommendations feel unsupported.
B

Me basé demasiado en las entrevistas y no utilicé suficientes datos.

meh bah-SEH deh-mah-SYAH-doh en lahs en-treh-BEES-tahs ee noh oo-tee-lee-SEH soo-fee-SYEN-tehs DAH-tohs. I leaned too heavily on interviews and did not use enough data.
A

Añadir datos haría que fuera más difícil descartar las conclusiones.

ah-nyah-DEER DAH-tohs ah-REE-ah keh FWEH-rah mahs dee-FEE-seel dehs-kar-TAR lahs kohn-kloo-SYOH-nehs. Adding data would make the conclusions harder to dismiss.
B

Puedo revisar esa sección y señalar claramente los puntos inciertos.

PWEH-doh reh-bee-SAR EH-sah sehk-SYOHN ee seh-nyah-LAR klah-rah-MEN-teh lohs POON-tohs een-SYER-tohs. I can revise that section and flag uncertain points clearly.
A

Eso mejoraría la credibilidad sin debilitar el mensaje general.

EH-soh meh-hoh-rah-REE-ah lah kreh-dee-bee-lee-DAHD seen deh-bee-lee-TAR el men-SAH-heh heh-neh-RAL. That would improve credibility without weakening the overall message.
B

Te enviaré la versión actualizada antes de enviarla al grupo más amplio.

teh em-bya-REH lah ber-SYOHN ahk-twah-lee-SAH-dah AN-tehs deh em-BYAR-lah al GROO-poh mahs AHM-plyoh. I'll send you the updated version before it goes to the wider group.

Word by Word

Quería “Quería” expresses that the speaker wanted to discuss the report. It is a past form of querer, and “Quería hablar sobre...” is a useful way to introduce a discussion you intended to have.
hablar “Hablar” means to talk or discuss here, following “Quería”. A useful pattern is “hablar sobre” followed by the topic, as in “hablar sobre el informe”.
sobre “Sobre” means about and introduces the topic of the discussion in “hablar sobre el informe”. Use “hablar sobre + topic” when describing what a conversation concerns.
el “El” is the singular article used before “informe” in “el informe”. It marks that noun as masculine and singular; the same article pattern appears with a specific masculine singular noun.
informe “Informe” means report in this workplace discussion. It is the document being discussed, revised, and shared, as shown by “el informe” and “la versión actualizada”.
antes “Antes” means before and places one action earlier than another. In “antes de compartirlo”, it is part of the reusable pattern “antes de + infinitive”.
de In “antes de compartirlo”, “de” connects “antes” with the following infinitive. The reusable pattern is “antes de + infinitive” for an action that happens earlier.
compartirlo “Compartirlo” means to share it, referring to the report. It combines the infinitive “compartir” with the attached pronoun “lo”; “compartir + object” is a useful pattern for describing what is shared.
ampliamente “Ampliamente” means widely and modifies the action in “compartirlo ampliamente”. It describes sharing something with a broad audience rather than only with a small group.
Sospechaba “Sospechaba” means suspected in this context. “Sospechaba que...” is a useful pattern for introducing something the speaker believed might be true.
que “Que” introduces the clause containing what the speaker suspected in “Sospechaba que algunas secciones podrían necesitar más evidencia”. A common pattern is “sospechar que + statement”.
algunas “Algunas” means some and refers to an unspecified part of the report’s sections. It is feminine plural here because it agrees with “secciones”; use “algunas + feminine plural noun” for some items of that type.
secciones “Secciones” means sections, referring to parts of the report. In “algunas secciones”, it identifies more than one report section that may need attention.
podrían “Podrían” expresses possibility: some sections might need more evidence. It is used with the infinitive “necesitar” in the reusable pattern “podrían + infinitive”.
necesitar “Necesitar” means to need and follows “podrían” in “podrían necesitar más evidencia”. A useful pattern is “necesitar + noun” to state what is needed.
más “Más” means more in “más evidencia”, indicating an additional amount of evidence. Use “más + noun” when asking for or describing a greater quantity.
evidencia “Evidencia” means evidence, the additional support needed by some report sections. It is the noun used after “más” in “más evidencia”.
argumento “Argumento” means argument here, referring to the central reasoning in the report. “El argumento” is a useful expression for discussing the reasoning a report presents.
es “Es” means is and links “el argumento” with the description “sólido”. The reusable pattern is “noun + es + adjective” for describing something.
sólido “Sólido” means strong or solid when describing “el argumento”. Here it indicates that the report’s reasoning is considered strong, even though other parts need support.
pero “Pero” means but and introduces a contrast between the strong argument and the unsupported recommendations. Use “pero” to connect two statements with opposing or differing points.
las “Las” is the plural article used before “recomendaciones” in “las recomendaciones”. It marks that feminine plural noun as specific.
recomendaciones “Recomendaciones” means recommendations, referring to the proposed actions or conclusions in the report. In this dialogue, they are the part that seems to lack support.
parecen “Parecen” means seem or appear and describes how the recommendations are judged in “parecen carecer de respaldo”. A useful pattern is “parecer + infinitive”, as in this expression.
carecer “Carecer” means to lack in “carecer de respaldo”. The reliable pattern is “carecer de + noun” to state what something does not have.
respaldo “Respaldo” means support or backing for the recommendations. In “carecer de respaldo”, it names the support that the recommendations appear to be missing.
Me “Me” marks the speaker as the participant in “Me basé en las entrevistas”. It is part of the expression “basarse en”, used to say what someone relied on.
basé “Basé” expresses that the speaker relied on or based the report on something in “Me basé en las entrevistas”. The reusable pattern is “me basé en + source” when explaining the basis of work.
demasiado “Demasiado” means too much or too heavily and modifies the reliance expressed in “Me basé demasiado”. It helps show that the amount of reliance was considered excessive.
en In “Me basé en las entrevistas”, “en” introduces the source on which the speaker relied. The useful pattern is “basarse en + source”.
entrevistas “Entrevistas” means interviews, the source the speaker relied on too heavily. It functions as the source after “basé en” in “Me basé en las entrevistas”.
y “Y” means and and connects the two actions in “Me basé demasiado en las entrevistas y no utilicé suficientes datos”. Use it to join related actions or statements.
no “No” negates the verb “utilicé” in “no utilicé suficientes datos”. The basic reusable pattern is “no + verb” for a negative statement.
utilicé “Utilicé” means I used, referring to the data the speaker did not use sufficiently. A useful pattern is “utilicé + noun” when describing what resources were used.
suficientes “Suficientes” means enough or sufficient and modifies “datos” in “suficientes datos”. Use “suficientes + plural noun” to describe an adequate quantity of several items.
datos “Datos” means data, the information that was not used in sufficient quantity. In “utilicé suficientes datos”, it is the resource being used.
Añadir “Añadir” means to add and appears at the beginning of “Añadir datos”, where the action is presented as the proposed change. “Añadir + noun” is a useful pattern for describing what should be added.
haría “Haría” means would make and expresses the expected effect of adding data in “Añadir datos haría que...”. A reusable pattern is “X haría que + clause” for describing a consequence.
fuera “Fuera” means were or would be in the dependent clause “haría que fuera más difícil descartar las conclusiones”. It links the proposed change with the resulting degree of difficulty.
difícil “Difícil” means difficult or hard in “fuera más difícil descartar las conclusiones”. The useful pattern is “ser difícil + infinitive” to describe an action that is hard to perform.
descartar “Descartar” means to dismiss or discard, referring to the conclusions in “descartar las conclusiones”. It is an infinitive after “difícil”; “descartar + object” identifies what is rejected.
conclusiones “Conclusiones” means conclusions, the findings that stronger evidence would make harder to dismiss. In “descartar las conclusiones”, it is the object of the action.
Puedo “Puedo” means I can and introduces the speaker’s proposed action in “Puedo revisar esa sección”. The reusable pattern is “poder + infinitive” to express ability or a possible action.
revisar “Revisar” means to revise or review and follows “Puedo” in “Puedo revisar esa sección”. Use “revisar + document or section” when describing an examination or improvement of written work.
esa “Esa” means that and identifies a particular section in “esa sección”. It is feminine singular because it agrees with “sección”; use “esa + feminine singular noun” to point to a specific item.
sección “Sección” means section, referring to the part of the report the speaker will revise. “Esa sección” identifies the specific part under discussion.
señalar “Señalar” means to flag or point out and is coordinated with “revisar” in “revisar esa sección y señalar claramente...”. A useful pattern is “señalar + point or issue” when calling attention to something.
claramente “Claramente” means clearly and modifies “señalar” in “señalar claramente los puntos inciertos”. It describes how the uncertain points will be identified.
los “Los” is the plural article used before “puntos” in “los puntos inciertos”. It marks that masculine plural noun as specific.
puntos “Puntos” means points, referring to particular items or claims in the report. In “los puntos inciertos”, it identifies the items that need to be marked as uncertain.
inciertos “Inciertos” means uncertain and describes “los puntos”. It agrees with that masculine plural noun in “los puntos inciertos”.
Eso “Eso” means that and refers to the proposal just mentioned: revising the section and clearly flagging uncertain points. It is a pronoun used to refer back to an idea or action.
mejoraría “Mejoraría” means would improve and describes the expected effect of the proposed revision in “Eso mejoraría la credibilidad”. The pattern “X mejoraría + noun” presents a possible beneficial result.
la “La” is the singular article used before “credibilidad” in “la credibilidad”. It marks that feminine singular noun as specific.
credibilidad “Credibilidad” means credibility, the quality that the proposed changes would improve. It is the object of “mejoraría” in “mejoraría la credibilidad”.
sin “Sin” means without and introduces an action that will not happen in “sin debilitar el mensaje general”. The reusable pattern is “sin + infinitive” for describing an omitted or avoided action.
debilitar “Debilitar” means to weaken and follows “sin” in “sin debilitar el mensaje general”. A useful pattern is “debilitar + object” when describing what could lose strength.
mensaje “Mensaje” means message, referring to the report’s central communication. In “el mensaje general”, it is the thing that should remain strong.
general “General” means overall or general and describes “el mensaje”. “El mensaje general” refers to the report’s broad central message rather than one specific detail.
Te “Te” marks the person who will receive the version in “Te enviaré la versión actualizada”. It refers to one person being addressed; “te + verb” is a common way to identify that recipient.
enviaré “Enviaré” means I will send and states the speaker’s future action. In “Te enviaré la versión actualizada”, the useful pattern is “te enviaré + object” for promising to send something to someone.
versión “Versión” means version, referring to the revised form of the report. It is the item being sent in “la versión actualizada”.
actualizada “Actualizada” means updated and describes “la versión”. It agrees with that feminine singular noun in “la versión actualizada”.
enviarla “Enviarla” means to send it, with “la” attached to the infinitive “enviar”; “la” refers to the updated version. In “antes de enviarla”, it follows the pattern “antes de + infinitive”.
al “Al” is the contraction of “a” and “el” in “al grupo más amplio”. It introduces the destination or recipient group after the action of sending.
grupo “Grupo” means group, referring to the wider group that will receive the updated version. It is the noun in “al grupo más amplio”.
amplio “Amplio” means broad or wide and describes the group in “el grupo más amplio”. With “más”, the phrase identifies a wider group than the one already involved.

Grammar Points

Imperfecto: quería / sospechaba + infinitivo

Quería hablar sobre el informe.

keh-REE-ah ah-BLAR SOH-breh el een-FOR-meh.

I wanted to discuss the report.

The imperfect describes past desires, thoughts, or situations without emphasizing when they ended.

Condicional: infinitivo + mejoraría

Añadir datos mejoraría el argumento.

ah-nyah-DEER DAH-tohs meh-hoh-rah-REE-ah el ar-goo-MEN-toh.

Adding data would improve the argument.

The conditional expresses a hypothetical result or what would happen under certain circumstances.

Spanish Vocabulary

ampliamente adv
ahm-PLYAH-men-teh widely

compartirlo ampliamente

argumento noun
ar-goo-MEN-toh argument

El argumento es sólido

compartir verb
kohm-par-TEER to share compartirlo

antes de compartirlo ampliamente

evidencia noun
eh-bee-DEN-syah evidence

más evidencia

hablar sobre phrase
ah-BLAR SOH-breh to discuss; to talk about

Quería hablar sobre el informe

informe noun
een-FOR-meh report

el informe

necesitar verb
neh-seh-see-TAR to need

podrían necesitar más evidencia

querer verb
keh-REHR to want Quería

Quería hablar sobre el informe

recomendación noun
reh-koh-men-dah-SYOHN recommendation recomendaciones

las recomendaciones

sección noun
sehk-SYOHN section secciones

algunas secciones

sólido adj
SOH-lee-doh strong; solid

El argumento es sólido

sospechar verb
sohs-peh-CHAR to suspect Sospechaba

Sospechaba que algunas secciones

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to suspect

Show AnswerSospechaba

to need

Show Answernecesitar

report

Show Answerinforme

to share

Show Answercompartirlo