Strengthening a Report with Evidence | Learn German in English

About This Lesson

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

Dialogue

Ich wollte den Bericht besprechen, bevor er in größerem Kreis geteilt wird.

ikh VOL-tuh den beh-RIKHT buh-SHPREKH-en, beh-FOHR air in GRUR-suh-rum Krys guh-TYLET virt. I wanted to discuss the report before it is shared widely.

Ich vermutete, dass einige Abschnitte vielleicht mehr Belege brauchen.

ikh fair-MOO-tuh-tuh, dass EYE-nih-guh AHP-shnit-tuh FEE-likh mehr beh-LEH-guh BROW-khen. I suspected some sections might need more evidence.

Die Argumentation ist stark, aber die Empfehlungen wirken nicht ausreichend belegt.

dee ar-goo-men-tah-TSYOHN ist shtark, AH-ber dee emp-FAY-loong-en VEER-ken nikht OWS-rykh-ent buh-LAYKT. The argument is strong, but the recommendations feel unsupported.

Ich habe mich zu sehr auf Interviews gestützt und nicht genügend Daten verwendet.

ikh HAH-buh mikh tsoo zair owf IN-ter-vyoos guh-SHTEWTS-t oont nikht guh-NEW-gent DAH-ten fair-VEN-det. I leaned too heavily on interviews and did not use enough data.

Zusätzliche Daten würden es schwerer machen, die Schlussfolgerungen zurückzuweisen.

TSOO-ZETZ-lih-kuh DAH-ten VEWR-den ess SHVAIR-er MAKH-en, dee SHLOOS-fol-guh-roong-en tsoo-REWK-tsoo-VY-zun. Adding data would make the conclusions harder to dismiss.

Ich kann diesen Abschnitt überarbeiten und unsichere Punkte klar kennzeichnen.

ikh KAHN DEE-zun AHP-shnit EW-ber-AR-tun oont OON-zikh-uh POONK-tuh klahr KEN-ts-eye-kh-nun. I can revise that section and flag uncertain points clearly.

Das würde die Glaubwürdigkeit erhöhen, ohne die Gesamtaussage zu schwächen.

dahss VEWR-duh dee GLOWP-vewr-dikh-KYTE air-HUR-en, OH-nuh dee guh-ZAHMT-ows-ah-guh tsoo SHVEKH-en. That would improve credibility without weakening the overall message.

Ich schicke dir die aktualisierte Version, bevor sie mit dem größeren Kreis geteilt wird.

ikh SHIK-uh deer dee ahk-too-ah-lee-ZEER-tuh fair-ZYOHN, beh-FOHR zee mit daym GRUR-suh-rum Krys guh-TYLET virt. I'll send you the updated version before it goes to the wider group.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person doing or experiencing the action. It is used as the subject before a finite verb, as in “Ich wollte”. In a conversation, use it whenever you describe your own plans, opinions, or actions.

wollte “wollte” expresses that the speaker wanted or intended to do something. It is the past form of “wollen”, used here in “Ich wollte den Bericht besprechen”. This form is useful when introducing an intention or purpose in a polite, less direct way.

den “den” means “the” before “Bericht” in “den Bericht besprechen”. It marks this masculine object of the verb “besprechen”. Reuse the pattern “den + masculine object” when referring to a specific item being acted on.

Bericht “Bericht” means “report”, the document being discussed in the dialogue. In “den Bericht”, it is the specific object of “besprechen”. Use it for a written report or account, especially in a workplace or formal setting.

besprechen “besprechen” means “to discuss” the report together. In “den Bericht besprechen”, it takes the thing discussed directly as its object. A useful reuse pattern is “etwas besprechen” when discussing a document, plan, or issue.

bevor “bevor” means “before” and introduces the event that must happen first in “bevor er in größerem Kreis geteilt wird”. It introduces a subordinate clause, so the finite verb appears at the end. Use it to connect an action with a later event that has not happened yet.

er “er” refers back to “der Bericht” and means “it” here, not “he”. It is the subject of “geteilt wird” in the clause “bevor er in größerem Kreis geteilt wird”. Use a pronoun that matches the noun it replaces when referring back to a previously mentioned item.

in “in” means “in” within the expression “in größerem Kreis”, describing the wider setting in which the report is shared. Here it is followed by a dative phrase because the expression describes a context or setting rather than movement into a place. Reuse “in” with a setting, group, or context when describing where an action takes place.

größerem “größerem” means “larger” or “wider” in “in größerem Kreis”, referring to a broader group of people. Its ending reflects the dative phrase after “in” and agrees with “Kreis”. Use this pattern when describing something happening in a broader professional or social circle.

Kreis “Kreis” means “circle” literally, but in “in größerem Kreis” it means a group or circle of people. The expression describes sharing something with more people than the immediate group. Use “Kreis” in this sense when referring to a defined group or audience.

geteilt “geteilt” means “shared” in “geteilt wird”, describing the report being made available to other people. It is the participle used in the passive construction with “wird”. Use it when something is distributed or shared with a group.

wird “wird” helps form the passive expression “geteilt wird”, meaning that the report is being shared. It is the finite form of “werden” used with the participle “geteilt”. This pattern is useful when focusing on what happens to a document rather than who shares it.

vermutete “vermutete” means “suspected” or “assumed” in “Ich vermutete”. It presents an earlier conclusion that was not stated as certain. Use it when reporting a past assumption about a possible situation.

dass “dass” means “that” and introduces the content of the suspicion in “dass einige Abschnitte vielleicht mehr Belege brauchen”. It begins a subordinate clause, with the finite verb at the end. Use “dass” to connect a statement, belief, or suspicion with its content.

einige “einige” means “some” and refers to an unspecified number of sections in “einige Abschnitte”. It indicates more than one item without identifying all of them. Use it before a plural noun when only part of a group is meant.

Abschnitte “Abschnitte” means “sections” of the report. In “einige Abschnitte”, it identifies the parts that may need more evidence. Use it for distinct parts of a document, text, or larger piece of work.

vielleicht “vielleicht” means “perhaps” or “maybe” and makes the need for more evidence sound uncertain in “vielleicht mehr Belege brauchen”. It signals that the speaker is presenting a possibility rather than a firm conclusion. Use it when making a cautious suggestion or assessment.

mehr “mehr” means “more” in “mehr Belege brauchen”, indicating an amount beyond what is currently available. It is placed directly before the noun phrase it quantifies. Use “mehr” when comparing the needed or available amount with the current amount.

Belege “Belege” means “evidence” or “supporting material” in “mehr Belege”. It refers to material that supports claims in the report. Use it with a claim, argument, or conclusion when discussing support that can make it more convincing.

brauchen “brauchen” means “need” in “einige Abschnitte vielleicht mehr Belege brauchen”. The plural subject “einige Abschnitte” determines this verb form. Use the pattern “etwas brauchen” when saying that a document, section, or person needs something.

Die “Die” means “the” before “Argumentation” in “Die Argumentation ist stark”. It introduces the specific reasoning in the report as the subject of the sentence. The same spelling can have other functions, so its meaning here comes from its position before this noun.

Argumentation “Argumentation” means the argument or reasoning presented in the report. In “Die Argumentation ist stark”, it is being evaluated as convincing or well developed. Use it when discussing how ideas and reasons are organized to support a position.

ist “ist” means “is” and links “Die Argumentation” with the description “stark”. It is the present form of “sein” for this singular subject. Use it to state a current assessment or characteristic.

stark “stark” means “strong” in “Die Argumentation ist stark”. It evaluates the reasoning as convincing or substantial. Use it after “sein” to describe the quality of an argument, case, or position.

aber “aber” means “but” and introduces a contrast between the strong argumentation and the less well-supported recommendations. It connects two contrasting statements in the same sentence. Use it to acknowledge one positive point before adding a limitation.

Empfehlungen “Empfehlungen” means “recommendations”, the proposed actions or conclusions in the report. In “die Empfehlungen wirken”, these recommendations are the subject being evaluated. Use it for proposed courses of action, especially in reports or professional advice.

wirken “wirken” means “seem” or “appear” in “die Empfehlungen wirken nicht ausreichend belegt”. It presents how the recommendations come across rather than making an absolute claim about them. Use “etwas wirkt + adjective or participle” when giving an impression or evaluation.

nicht “nicht” negates the assessment in “nicht ausreichend belegt”. It shows that the recommendations do not appear sufficiently supported. Place it before the part of the sentence or expression that is being denied.

ausreichend “ausreichend” means “sufficiently” or “adequately” in “nicht ausreichend belegt”. It describes the degree of support and says that the evidence does not reach the needed level. Use it before a participle or adjective when evaluating whether something meets a required standard.

belegt “belegt” means “supported by evidence” in “nicht ausreichend belegt”. It describes the recommendations as lacking enough evidence behind them. Use it when a claim, conclusion, or recommendation is backed by documents, data, or other supporting material.

habe “habe” means “have” in the perfect construction “Ich habe mich zu sehr auf Interviews gestützt”. It is the finite form of “haben” used with the participle “gestützt” to describe a completed past action. Use “Ich habe ...” to report something you have done.

mich “mich” means “myself” or “me” in the reflexive expression “mich auf Interviews gestützt”. It refers back to the speaker as the person who relied on something. Use it with reflexive verbs when the speaker is also the affected person.

zu “zu” means “too” in “zu sehr”, expressing an excessive degree. Together with “sehr”, it explains that the speaker relied on interviews more than was appropriate. Use the pattern “zu + adjective or adverb” to describe something as excessively so.

sehr “sehr” means “very” in “zu sehr”, intensifying the degree of reliance. The combination “zu sehr” means “too much” or “to an excessive extent”. Use it when describing an action or quality that goes beyond a suitable level.

auf “auf” is part of the construction “sich auf Interviews stützen”, meaning “to rely on interviews”. In this use, it introduces the source or basis someone relies on. Reuse the pattern “sich auf etwas stützen” when describing what supports an argument, decision, or analysis.

Interviews “Interviews” means “interviews”, the source material used for the report. In “sich auf Interviews stützen”, the interviews are the basis on which the speaker relied. Use it when referring to information collected through conversations with people.

gestützt “gestützt” means “relied” or “based” in the completed expression “Ich habe mich zu sehr auf Interviews gestützt”. It is the participle used with “habe” in the perfect construction. Use “sich auf etwas stützen” when explaining what evidence or source an analysis depends on.

und “und” means “and” and joins the two actions “habe mich ... gestützt” and “verwendet”. It presents them as related parts of the speaker’s account. Use it to connect actions, descriptions, or items without setting up a contrast.

genügend “genügend” means “enough” or “sufficiently” in “nicht genügend Daten verwendet”. It indicates that the amount of data used was below the needed level. Use it before a noun when judging whether the quantity is sufficient.

Daten “Daten” means “data”, the information that the speaker did not use in sufficient quantity. In “Daten verwendet”, it is the material used in the report. Use it for collected information or measurements that support analysis and conclusions.

Zusätzliche “Zusätzliche” means “additional” in “Zusätzliche Daten”. It introduces data added beyond what the report already contains. Use it before a noun when referring to extra material that strengthens or extends existing information.

würden “würden” means “would” in “Zusätzliche Daten würden es schwerer machen”. It presents a predicted or hypothetical result of adding data. Use it with an infinitive to describe what would happen under a condition or proposed change.

es “es” is the placeholder object in “würden es schwerer machen”, where the whole construction means that adding data would make something harder. It does not refer to a separate concrete object here. Use this pattern when an action changes how easy or difficult another action is.

schwerer “schwerer” means “harder” in “es schwerer machen”. It compares the difficulty of rejecting the conclusions before and after additional data are added. Use it in the pattern “etwas schwerer machen, etwas zu tun” when a change increases the difficulty of an action.

machen “machen” means “make” in “würden es schwerer machen”. It describes causing a change in the difficulty of another action. The reusable pattern is “etwas schwerer machen, etwas zu tun”, with the affected activity stated after “zu”.

Schlussfolgerungen “Schlussfolgerungen” means “conclusions”, the results drawn from the report’s reasoning and evidence. In “die Schlussfolgerungen zurückzuweisen”, they are the ideas that someone might reject. Use it when discussing the conclusions reached by an analysis or report.

zurückzuweisen “zurückzuweisen” means “to reject” or “to dismiss” in “die Schlussfolgerungen zurückzuweisen”. It is a “zu” infinitive describing the action whose difficulty would be increased. Use the pattern “etwas zurückweisen” when rejecting a claim, conclusion, or proposal.

kann “kann” means “can” and expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility to revise and mark the section. It is followed by the infinitives “überarbeiten” and “kennzeichnen”. Use “kann + infinitive” to state what someone is able or prepared to do.

diesen “diesen” means “this” in “diesen Abschnitt”, pointing to a particular section already under discussion. It marks the specific object of “überarbeiten”. Use it before a masculine object when referring to one identified item nearby in the conversation.

Abschnitt “Abschnitt” means “section” in “diesen Abschnitt”. It refers to the particular part of the report that the speaker will revise. Use it for one identifiable part of a document or text.

überarbeiten “überarbeiten” means “to revise” or “to edit” the section. In “diesen Abschnitt überarbeiten”, it describes improving the existing text rather than creating a new document. Use the pattern “etwas überarbeiten” for a report, section, draft, or other written work.

unsichere “unsichere” means “uncertain” in “unsichere Punkte”. It describes points whose reliability or status is not fully clear. Use it before a plural noun when identifying parts of an analysis that need cautious treatment.

Punkte “Punkte” means “points” in “unsichere Punkte”. Here it refers to individual issues or statements in the report that may be uncertain. Use it for specific items in an argument, discussion, list, or document.

klar “klar” means “clearly” in “klar kennzeichnen”. It describes the manner in which uncertain points will be marked. Use it before a verb when saying that an action should be done in an unmistakable way.

kennzeichnen “kennzeichnen” means “to mark” or “to flag” in “unsichere Punkte klar kennzeichnen”. It describes identifying uncertain points so readers can recognize them. Use the pattern “etwas kennzeichnen” for marking a feature, issue, or status in a document.

Das “Das” means “that” or “it” and refers to the proposed revision and clearer marking described in the previous sentence. It is the subject of “würde ... erhöhen”. Use it to refer back to a previously mentioned action or idea as a whole.

Glaubwürdigkeit “Glaubwürdigkeit” means “credibility”, the quality of being believable or trustworthy. In “die Glaubwürdigkeit erhöhen”, it is the quality that the revisions would improve. Use it when evaluating whether a report, claim, source, or person is trusted.

erhöhen “erhöhen” means “to increase” or “to improve” in “die Glaubwürdigkeit erhöhen”. It describes raising the level of credibility through stronger support. Use the pattern “etwas erhöhen” for a measurable or evaluative quality such as credibility, clarity, or confidence.

ohne “ohne” means “without” and introduces an action that will not happen in “ohne die Gesamtaussage zu schwächen”. It is followed here by an infinitive construction with “zu”. Use it to describe achieving one result while avoiding another.

Gesamtaussage “Gesamtaussage” means “overall message”, referring to the central message of the report as a whole. In “die Gesamtaussage zu schwächen”, it is the thing that should remain strong. Use it when discussing the main message produced by all parts of a document together.

schwächen “schwächen” means “to weaken” in “ohne die Gesamtaussage zu schwächen”. It describes reducing the force or effectiveness of the report’s overall message. Use the pattern “etwas schwächen” for an argument, message, position, or effect.

schicke “schicke” means “send” in “Ich schicke dir die aktualisierte Version”. It expresses the speaker’s present intention or action of sending something. Use the pattern “jemandem etwas schicken”, with the recipient before the item sent.

dir “dir” means “to you” and identifies the recipient in “Ich schicke dir die aktualisierte Version”. It is used with the verb “schicken” to show who receives the document. Reuse the pattern “jemandem etwas schicken” when sending a file, message, or document to someone.

aktualisierte “aktualisierte” means “updated” in “die aktualisierte Version”. It describes a version that has been revised to include changes. Use it before a document or file noun when referring to the newest revised version.

Version “Version” means “version”, the form of the report that has been updated. In “die aktualisierte Version”, it is the item being sent. Use it for a particular edition or state of a document, file, or plan.

sie “sie” refers back to “die aktualisierte Version” and means “it” here. It is the subject of “geteilt wird” in “bevor sie mit dem größeren Kreis geteilt wird”. Use a feminine singular pronoun when referring back to a noun such as “Version”.

mit “mit” means “with” in “mit dem größeren Kreis”. It identifies the group with which the updated version will be shared. It is followed by a dative phrase, so use “mit” when naming the people or group involved in an action.

größeren “größeren” means “larger” or “wider” in “mit dem größeren Kreis”, referring to the broader group receiving the version. Its ending reflects the dative phrase after “mit” and agrees with “Kreis”. Use it when describing a wider group involved in sharing or communication.

Grammar Points

sich auf etwas stützen

Ich habe mich auf Daten gestützt.

ikh HAH-buh mikh owf DAH-ten guh-SHTEWTS-t.

I relied on data.

This reflexive expression means “to rely on something”; the reflexive pronoun changes with the subject.

zu + Infinitiv

Die Empfehlung ist zurückzuweisen.

dee emp-FAY-loong ist tsoo-REWK-tsoo-VY-zun.

The recommendation is to be dismissed.

With sein + zu-Infinitiv, German expresses that something should or must be done.

German Vocabulary

Abschnitt noun

AHP-shnit section Abschnitte

Argumentation noun

ar-goo-men-tah-TSYOHN argumentation

Beleg noun

buh-LAYK evidence Belege

belegen verb

buh-LAY-gen to substantiate belegt

Bericht noun

beh-RIKHT report

besprechen verb

buh-SHPREKH-en to discuss

den Bericht besprechen

Empfehlung noun

emp-FAY-loong recommendation Empfehlungen

in größerem Kreis phrase

in GRUR-suh-rum Krys with a wider group

sich auf etwas stützen phrase

zikh owf ET-vahs SHTEWTS-un to rely on something mich ... gestützt

stark adj

shtark strong

teilen verb

TYLE-en to share geteilt

vermuten verb

fair-MOO-ten to suspect vermutete

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

report

Show Answer

Bericht

strong

Show Answer

stark

section

Show Answer

Abschnitte

to discuss

Show Answer

besprechen