* The UDB sometimes uses different parts of speech than the orginal languages. For example, where the Greek might use a noun to refer to an event, the ULB often uses a verb.
* When reproducing the form of the logical connections in the biblical languages would result in ambiguity, the UDB seeks to represent the most logical meaning. Thus, for example, in the phrase "the righteousness of faith" in Romans 4:13, the logical relationship between righteousness and faith is not further specified. (Is it the righteousness that comes by faith? Is it the righteousness that vindicates faith?) The UDB seeks to choose the most likely logical relationship. (Other likely logical relationships are sometimes presented in the Translation Notes.)
* When the linear succession of ideas found in the original would be strange or confusing in English, the UDB presents the ideas in an order that English prefers.
* When information is implied in the original, the UDB sometimes makes it explicit. For example, in Matthew 26:5 the leaders said "Not during the festival, so that a riot does not arise among the people." The implicit information is "Let us not arrest Jesus [during the festival].” The UDB makes that explicit with "We must not do it during the Passover festival, because if we do it then, the people might riot."
The following are decisions that have been made concerning the UDB. This is not a comprehensive list, but it is here to help those who might wonder why the UDB is as it is.
The following are details concerning the use of punctuation, capitalization, and vocabulary in the UDB.
* Quotation marks are used at the beginning and ending of direct speech. They are not used at the beginning of each verse, even though the speech may span several verses.