Breakdown of Diese komplizierte Formulierung lässt sich vermeiden, sodass der Paragraph verständlich wird.
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
lassen
to let, to leave (something)
werden
to become / to get (change of state)
sich
oneself / himself / herself / themselves (reflexive pronoun)
Questions & Answers about Diese komplizierte Formulierung lässt sich vermeiden, sodass der Paragraph verständlich wird.
Why is lässt sich vermeiden translated as "can be avoided"?
The combination of sich lassen plus an infinitive is a common B2 structure used as an alternative to the passive voice. It means the exact same thing as kann vermieden werden (can be avoided) but often sounds much more elegant in German.
How does the sodass clause here relate to "verbalization"?
Verbalization means unpacking a dense noun phrase into a subordinate clause with a verb. In a formal nominal style, this sentence might use a prepositional phrase: "Diese komplizierte Formulierung lässt sich zur Verständlichkeit des Paragraphen vermeiden." We "verbalize" that noun phrase (zur Verständlichkeit) by turning it into the full clause sodass der Paragraph verständlich wird.
Could I use damit instead of sodass here?
You could, but it shifts the focus slightly. Sodass introduces a result (the phrasing is avoided, with the result that it becomes comprehensible). Damit introduces a deliberate purpose (in order to make it comprehensible). When verbalizing phrases, you have to decide on the exact logical relationship, and here the writer chose to emphasize the outcome.
Does Paragraph just mean a regular paragraph of text in an essay?
Usually, no. This is a classic false friend. In German, der Paragraph refers specifically to a section or article in a formal or legal document (often marked with the § symbol). A normal paragraph of text in an essay or book is called der Absatz.