Handouts, checklists, exercises > Quiz: Spot the problem
This exercise refers to the content of ‘Plain language’; please refer to that page for context and to learn more (part of Module IV. Making contracts work).
Spot the problem
Contract language often becomes unclear not because the content is complex, but because the language choices make it harder to understand.
This minigame helps you recognize typical problem patterns in traditional contract writing and shows how small changes can make contract clauses clearer. Each round presents a clause and asks you to spot specific issues that reduce clarity.
Round 1. Archaic expressions
Archaic expressions are old-fashioned legal or formal expressions that persist in traditional contract language even though they are no longer part of everyday language.
Spot and click the archaic expressions you find in the following clause:
The clause contained three archaic or old-fashioned expressions that are still common in traditional contract language but add unnecessary complexity:
| Jargon | Why this is a problem |
|---|---|
| forthwith | an old-fashioned term meaning “immediately” or “without delay.” |
| herein | a formal way of saying “in this Agreement.” |
| thereof | an outdated referential word meaning “of that.” |
These expressions create friction for readers because they are not part of everyday English. They force users to mentally translate the contract language before understanding the actual obligation. This slows down comprehension without adding legal precision.
Same clause in plain language:
The Supplier must deliver the documentation referred to in this Agreement without delay and notify the Buyer.
Think about which words in the following sentence are archaic expressions:"The Supplier shall forthwith deliver the documentation referred to herein and shall notify the Buyer thereof."
Then click here.
The clause contains three archaic or old-fashioned expressions that add unnecessary complexity:
| Jargon | Why this is a problem |
|---|---|
| forthwith | an old-fashioned term meaning “immediately” or “without delay.” |
| herein | a formal way of saying “in this Agreement.” |
| thereof | an outdated referential word meaning “of that.” |
These expressions create friction for readers because they are not part of everyday English. They force users to mentally translate the contract language before understanding the actual obligation. This slows down comprehension without adding legal precision.
Same clause in plain language:
The Supplier must deliver the documentation referred to in this Agreement without delay and notify the Buyer.
Round 2. Where did the verbs go?
Nominalizations are nouns formed from verbs (for example, to determine -> the determination of; to verify -> the verification of). They make text stiff and wordy. Replacing them with clear verbs usually improves readability and precision.
Spot and click the nominalisations you find in the following clause:
The clause contains four nominalizations that make the sentence heavier:
| Jargon | Why this is a problem |
|---|---|
| Implementation | a noun masking the verb implement |
| Provision | a noun masking the verb provide |
| Submission | a noun masking the verb submit |
| Monitoring | a noun masking the verb monitor |
Turning such nouns back into clear verbs helps readers quickly understand the obligations and reduces ambiguity without changing the meaning.
Same clause in plain language:
The Supplier must implement appropriate corrective actions and provide all documentation needed to verify compliance. The Buyer may ask the Supplier to submit additional information and may require the Supplier to monitor subcontractor performance during the contract period.
Think about which words in the following sentence are nominalizations:"The Supplier is responsible for the implementation of appropriate corrective actions and for the provision of all relevant documentation needed to verify compliance. The Buyer may request the submission of additional information and require the monitoring of subcontractor performance during the contract period."
Then click here.
The clause contains four nominalizations that make the sentence heavier:
| Jargon | Why this is a problem |
|---|---|
| Implementation | a noun masking the verb implement |
| Provision | a noun masking the verb provide |
| Submission | a noun masking the verb submit |
| Monitoring | a noun masking the verb monitor |
Turning such nouns back into clear verbs helps readers quickly understand the obligations and reduces ambiguity without changing the meaning.
Same clause in plain language:
The Supplier must implement appropriate corrective actions and provide all documentation needed to verify compliance. The Buyer may ask the Supplier to submit additional information and may require the Supplier to monitor subcontractor performance during the contract period.
Round 3. Sentence length
This sentence contains several separate ideas that have been combined into one long, difficult sentence. Your goal is to identify where one obligation, action, or idea ends and the next begins.
Click the gaps where you think should start a new sentence:
This long sentence contains at least four separate ideas, each expressing a different obligation or step in the process:
- First, the Supplier must carry out a comprehensive sustainability risk assessment.
- Second, the Supplier must submit a written report of that assessment to the Buyer within 30 days.
- Third, the report is subject to the Buyer’s review.
- And finally, the Buyer may request adjustments if the proposed measures are not sufficient.
Dividing the sentence at these points makes each idea easier to see and helps the reader understand what needs to happen and in what order.
Same clause in plain language/shorter sentences:
The Supplier must conduct a comprehensive assessment of any actual or potential sustainability risks in its operations and supply chain. The Supplier must submit a written report of this assessment to the Buyer within 30 days, describing the identified risks, the proposed mitigation measures and indicative timelines. The report is subject to the Buyer’s review. The Buyer may request adjustments if the proposed measures are not sufficient to meet the agreed standards.
Alternatively, the sentence can be further structured to improve its visual layout, making it even easier to scan:
The Supplier must conduct a comprehensive assessment of any actual or potential sustainability risks in its operations and supply chain. Within 30 days, the Supplier must submit a written report to the Buyer describing: identified risks, proposed mitigation measures, and indicative timelines. The report is subject to the Buyer’s review. The Buyer may request adjustments if the proposed measures are not sufficient to meet the agreed standards.
As the exercise shows, contract clauses often combine several actions, conditions, timelines, and consequences into a single sentence. This can make it difficult for users to identify what needs to happen, by whom, and in what sequence.
This sentence contains several separate ideas that have been combined into one long, difficult sentence. Your goal is to identify where one obligation, action, or idea ends and the next begins. Click the gaps where you think should start a new sentence:The Supplier shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of any actual or potential sustainability risks in its operations and supply chain, submitting to the Buyer within 30 days a written report describing the identified risks and proposed mitigation measures together with indicative timelines, the report being subject to the Buyer’s review and possible request for further adjustments where the proposed measures are not considered sufficient to meet the agreed standards.
Then click here.
This long sentence contains at least four separate ideas, each expressing a different obligation or step in the process:
- First, the Supplier must carry out a comprehensive sustainability risk assessment.
- Second, the Supplier must submit a written report of that assessment to the Buyer within 30 days.
- Third, the report is subject to the Buyer’s review.
- And finally, the Buyer may request adjustments if the proposed measures are not sufficient.
Dividing the sentence at these points makes each idea easier to see and helps the reader understand what needs to happen and in what order.
Same clause in plain language/shorter sentences:
The Supplier must conduct a comprehensive assessment of any actual or potential sustainability risks in its operations and supply chain. The Supplier must submit a written report of this assessment to the Buyer within 30 days, describing the identified risks, the proposed mitigation measures and indicative timelines. The report is subject to the Buyer’s review. The Buyer may request adjustments if the proposed measures are not sufficient to meet the agreed standards.
Alternatively, the sentence can be further structured to improve its visual layout, making it even easier to scan:
The Supplier must conduct a comprehensive assessment of any actual or potential sustainability risks in its operations and supply chain. Within 30 days, the Supplier must submit a written report to the Buyer describing: identified risks, proposed mitigation measures, and indicative timelines. The report is subject to the Buyer’s review. The Buyer may request adjustments if the proposed measures are not sufficient to meet the agreed standards.
As the exercise shows, contract clauses often combine several actions, conditions, timelines, and consequences into a single sentence. This can make it difficult for users to identify what needs to happen, by whom, and in what sequence.
