Grammar Focus

Explicación (en español)

En el nivel C1 Advanced, la cohesión es lo que diferencia un texto fragmentado de un texto fluido y profesional. Para evitar la repetición excesiva de palabras (un error común cuando intentamos traducir literalmente del español), utilizamos tres técnicas clave: reference chains (cadenas de referencia), substitution (sustitución) y ellipsis (elipsis). Estas herramientas permiten que el lector siga el hilo conductor sin que el texto resulte pesado o redundante.

Las reference chains utilizan pronombres (it, they, this, these) o expresiones de referencia (the former, the latter, such) para conectar ideas. Por ejemplo, en lugar de repetir "The Ethereum network" tres veces, usamos "this network" o "it". La substitution consiste en reemplazar una palabra o frase por otra más corta o genérica (do so, one, such) para mantener la fluidez. Por último, la ellipsis es la omisión de palabras que el contexto ya deja claro, evitando la redundancia innecesaria.

Un error típico de los hispanohablantes es la sobrecarga de pronombres o, por el contrario, la falta de claridad al usar "this" o "that" sin un referente claro. En español, solemos ser más descriptivos y repetitivos, pero en inglés académico y profesional, la economía del lenguaje es vital. En el examen de Cambridge, el uso preciso de la elipsis y la sustitución demuestra un control avanzado del registro.

Form — estructura

Examples

1. The smart contract was executed automatically; this ensured transparency. (El contrato inteligente se ejecutó automáticamente; esto garantizó la transparencia.)
2. Many investors prefer Bitcoin to altcoins, but the former is seen as a safer store of value. (Muchos inversores prefieren el Bitcoin a las altcoins, pero el primero es visto como una reserva de valor más segura.)
3. We need to implement a new consensus mechanism, and the developers are planning to do so next month. (Necesitamos implementar un nuevo mecanismo de consenso, y los desarrolladores planean hacerlo el mes que viene.)
4. Some traders use cold wallets, while others [use] hot wallets. (Algunos traders usan carteras frías, mientras que otros [usan] carteras calientes.)
5. The volatility of the market is high; such instability can be risky for newcomers. (La volatilidad del mercado es alta; tal inestabilidad puede ser arriesgada para los recién llegados.)
6. If you want to mine cryptocurrency, you will need specialized hardware; if not, you can stake instead. (Si quieres minar criptomonedas, necesitarás hardware especializado; si no [lo quieres], puedes hacer staking en su lugar.)
7. Decentralised Finance (DeFi) aims to remove intermediaries; this process is revolutionising banking. (Las finanzas descentralizadas buscan eliminar intermediarios; este proceso está revolucionando la banca.)
8. There are several ways to secure a seed phrase, but the most effective is to write one down physically. (Hay varias formas de asegurar una frase semilla, pero la más efectiva es escribir una físicamente.)

Contrast

1. ✗ The blockchain is transparent. The blockchain is secure. / ✓ The blockchain is transparent and secure. (Avoid repetition by combining ideas or using pronouns).
2. ✗ We discussed Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the second one is more complex. / ✓ We discussed Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the latter is more complex. (Use "the latter" for more sophisticated C1-level writing).
3. ✗ They decided to sell their tokens and they decided to move to a new exchange. / ✓ They decided to sell their tokens and move to a new exchange. (Use ellipsis to avoid repeating "they decided to").
4. ✗ I have many questions about DeFi, but I don't have any answers. / ✓ I have many questions about DeFi, but no answers. (Ellipsis makes the sentence more concise and natural).

Mini-quiz — 10 preguntas

Part 1: Complete the sentences using substitution or reference (one, do so, the former, the latter, such, it).

1. We compared traditional banking with DeFi; _____ offers much higher yields but carries more risk.
2. If you want to diversify your portfolio, you should buy different assets, and you should _____ regularly.
3. The CEO mentioned the new protocol, and _____ announcement caused a market surge.
4. I don't have a hardware wallet, but my brother has ___.

Part 2: Rewrite the sentences using ellipsis to make them more concise.

5. Most people believe that crypto is the future, but some people believe that it is just a bubble.

6. He decided to invest in Ethereum, and she decided to invest in Solana.

Part 3: Multiple Choice (Choose a, b, or c).

7. The rise of NFTs has changed the art world; ___ has created new opportunities for digital artists. a) this b) that c) such

8. You can choose between a centralized exchange or a DEX; ___ is generally more private. a) the former b) the latter c) it

9. Some investors hold long-term, while others [_] short-term. a) do b) so c) [leave blank/ellipsis]

10. The protocol underwent a hard fork. ___ was a significant event for the community. a) It b) This c) That

Respuestas: 1. the latter | 2. do so | 3. this/that | 4. one | 5. Most people believe that crypto is the future, but some [believe] it is just a bubble. | 6. He decided to invest in Ethereum, and she [decided to invest] in Solana. | 7. a | 8. b | 9. c | 10. b