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Hedging Language

Hedging Language

Reference

Rule Example
Modalsmay, might, could, would, shouldThis may indicate...
ImpersonalIt seems / appears · There is evidence to suggestIt is widely believed that...
Frequencygenerally, typically, often, tend toMost students tend to...
Avoidabsolutes: all, never, always, provemost → all · suggest → prove

Common mistakes

  1. All teenagers love social media. → Most teenagers tend to enjoy social media.
    avoid absolutes in academic writing
  2. This is the only solution. → This appears to be one of the solutions.
    soften absolute claims
  3. Studies prove that X causes Y. → Studies suggest a link between X and Y.
    prove → suggest in scholarly writing

Hedging Language — Exercises

Choose the hedged version

Circle the correct answer.

  1. Which sentence is the most careful (hedged)? (This may suggest a link between sleep and memory. / This proves sleep improves memory. / Sleep always improves memory.)
  2. Teenagers _____ to use social media more than adults. (tend / always / must)
  3. It _____ that the plan has not worked. (appears / proves / is fact)
  4. There is evidence to _____ that exercise reduces stress. (suggest / prove / show clearly)
  5. The results are _____ positive. (relatively / totally / completely)
  6. _____ 200 people attended the event. (Approximately / Exactly / Definitely)
  7. It is widely _____ that breakfast is important. (believed / proven / known for sure)
  8. One could _____ that the rules are too strict. (argue / prove / insist)

Complete the hedge

Write one word.

  1. This   indicate a change in attitudes.
  2. It   that more people are cycling to work.
  3. Young people   to prefer streaming to TV.
  4. It is   believed that the castle is haunted.
  5.   speaking, the town is safe.
  6. The cost is in the   of 5,000 euros.

Hedging Language — Answer Key

Choose the hedged version

  1. This may suggest a link between sleep and memory. — may suggest softens the claim.
  2. tend — tend to = usually, without claiming always.
  3. appears — It appears that… — impersonal and cautious.
  4. suggest — There is evidence to suggest…
  5. relatively — relatively limits the claim.
  6. Approximately — Approximately = about.
  7. believed — It is widely believed…
  8. argue — One could argue that… — presents a view cautiously.

Complete the hedge

  1. may
  2. seems
  3. tend
  4. widely
  5. Generally
  6. region