essay hedging techniques

• Call for Articles
•  Login

What Is Hedging in Academic Writing?

In academic writing, precision and clarity in language is important. Ensuring a nuanced balance between certainty and caution can only be achieved by the strategic use of language; also called as hedging.

What is Hedging

Hedging is the use of linguistic devices to express hesitation or uncertainty as well as to demonstrate politeness and indirectness. It holds significance in academic writing because it is prudent to be cautious in one’s statements so as to distinguish between facts and claims.

What is the Use of Hedging

People use hedged language for several different purposes but perhaps the most fundamental are the following:

• To minimize the possibility of another academic opposing the claims that are being made
• To conform to the currently accepted style of academic writing
• To enable the author to devise a politeness strategy where they are able to acknowledge that there may be flaws in their claims

Types of Hedging

Following are a few hedging words and phrases that can be used to achieve this.

• Introductory verbs – seem, tend, look like, appear to be, think, believe, doubt, be sure, indicate, suggest
• Certain lexical verbs – believe, assume, suggest
• Modal Adverbs – possibly, perhaps, conceivably
• That clauses – It could be the case that…, it might be suggested that…, there is every hope that…

Here are some examples to understand the purpose of hedging.

Consider the following hedging language examples:

• It may be said that the commitment to some of the social and economic concepts was less strong than it is now.
• The lives they chose may seem overly ascetic and self-denying to most women today.

In the first statement, the commitment to some of the social and economic concepts was less strong than it is now while in the second one, the lives they chose seem overly ascetic and self-denying to most women today.

A crucial advantage in academia is that studies are often interpreted from multiple perspectives. This inherent openness leaves room for improvement and development in most fields of study.

Think you know what is hedging in academic writing and how to use it? Share your knowledge in the form of blog posts or opinion pieces at Enago Academy’s Open Platform .

thank you !

great and things are clear and direct no complications, plus very helpeful.

very informative

This appears to be insightful and educative.

Rate this article Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Enago Academy's Most Popular Articles

• Language & Grammar
• Reporting Research

How to Avoid Run-on Sentences in Academic Writing

When writing a paper, are you more focused on ideas or writing style? For most…

How to Improve Your Academic Writing Using Language Corpora

No matter how brilliant a researcher you are, you must be able to write about…

• Global Spanish Webinars
• Old Webinars

Cómo Dominar el Arte de Escribir Manuscritos en Inglés

Consejos de corrección Errores comunes de manuscritos Aplicación de la gramática inglesa Consejos sobre redacción…

• Global Japanese Webinars
• Webinar Mobile App

英語での論文執筆をマスターする

英語でのライティングスキルの重要性 論文英語の組み立て 日本人によくある英語の間違い 論文執筆の基本

• Infographic

Top 10 Tips to Increase Academic Vocabulary for Researchers

Improving academic vocabulary is an important skill for all researchers.  Academic vocabulary refers to the words…

Avoid These Common Grammatical Errors in Your Paper

How Coherence in Writing Facilitates Manuscript Acceptance

Sign-up to read more

Subscribe for free to get unrestricted access to all our resources on research writing and academic publishing including:

• 2000+ blog articles
• 50+ Webinars
• 10+ Expert podcasts
• 50+ Infographics
• 10+ Checklists
• Research Guides

We hate spam too. We promise to protect your privacy and never spam you.

• Plagiarism Checker
• AI Content Detector
• Academic Editing
• Publication Support Services
• Thesis Editing
• Enago Report
• Journal Finder
• Publishing Research
• Promoting Research
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Industry News
• Al In Academia
• Career Corner
• Thought Leadership
• Other Resources
• Enago Learn
• On-Demand Webinar
• Open Access Week 2024
• Peer Review Week 2024
• Publication Integrity Week
• Conference Videos
• Call For speakers
• Author Training

I am looking for Editing/ Proofreading services for my manuscript Tentative date of next journal submission:

What features do you prefer in a plagiarism detector? (Select all that apply)

Training videos   |   Faqs

Hedging Techniques in Academic Writing with Examples

Here’s the secret to great scientific writing: it’s not about making bold claims. It’s about the power of hedging, which empowers you to protect your ideas from undue criticism and fosters a spirit of collaboration among researchers. Hedging can boost your credibility in the scientific world.

1. Why and When to Hedge?

Hedging is a technique writers use to express uncertainty or caution. It’s like saying, “I’m fairly confident, but I might not be completely correct.” This approach helps authors anticipate readers’ opposition and present their arguments without sounding overly assertive.

✖ Research results stated definitively. The author sounds overconfident. The research proves that students use generative AI in more than 90% of their assignments. ✔ Hedged statement of research results. The statement has been toned down a bit. The research suggests that students probably use generative AI in more than 90% of their assignments.

Using hedging in your statements leaves room for doubt, invites further investigation, and fosters a more nuanced and respectful dialogue with other scholars.

2. Examples of Hedging Techniques

Regarding hedging, there’s a wide array of techniques at your disposal. These can range from simple softening word additions (such as ‘would seem to suggest’) to the use of adjectives or adverbs (‘generally’, ‘possible’) or even the replacement of definitive verbs like ‘prove’ or ‘is’ with ‘suggests’ or ‘may show’.

Tip: Choose the technique that best suits your writing style and the context of your work.

2.1. Being Modest About Your Findings

Writers employ various strategies to hedge their statements. The techniques ensure cautious statements are made instead of bold, arrogant claims.

Switching from active to passive voice is a common strategy used by experienced academics to soften their claims. Using a passive voice distances the writer from the statement.

✖ First-person active voice – you are making a direct statement and assuming responsibility for your claim I believe that students use generative AI to write their papers. ✔ Passive voice can be used to distance yourself from the claim It is believed that students use generative AI to write their papers.

2.2. Toning Down Strong Claims

Strong claims are made with strong verbs like “prove,” “equals,” “establishes,” “confirms,” “verifies,” “demonstrates,” and “certifies.” Let’s look at a comparison of strong claims compared to softened (hedged) claims.

Strong claims are also made with strong adjectives and adverbs. These can cause the author to appear overly certain of results and overstate the work’s importance or uniqueness.

✖ Bold claims – sounding overly assertive Our novel design is exceptionally well-suited for medical research, as the conclusive findings show. _ Too Innovative _ Too Important _ Too Certain ✔ Softened claims – you admit that you could be wrong Our results suggest that our design might be useful for future medical research.

Another way to avoid strong claims is to replace verbs with nouns. Instead of saying, “I conclude,” you can say, “My interpretation of the results suggests.” In the second example, you admit that you could be wrong, and your statement is based on how you interpreted the results.

2.3. Criticizing Others Work

As academics, we often review other authors’ writing to evaluate its quality, limitations, gaps, and validity of findings and conclusions. This criticism is critical to academic writing because it helps advance knowledge by identifying areas that need improvement or further study. Hedging contributes to healthy criticism.

Tip: Always constructively criticize and put another author’s work in a positive light.

When you need to criticize another researcher’s work, you should follow your criticism with an explanation. You do not want to demean the author’s work.

✖ Criticism that is not constructive Parker (2016) incorrectly supports their hypothesis that there is a significant relationship between social media and attention span, a hypothesis which has since been disproved . ✔ Constructive criticism with hedging While Parker’s (2016) study provides valuable insights into the relationship between social media and attention span, it is limited by its small sample size and reliance on self-reported data. A later study by Smith and Jones (2022) relied on a sample size ten times that of Parker’s and suggested a weaker relationship between social media and attention span.

In this case, the criticism is constructive. It acknowledges the study’s contributions while also pointing out specific limitations.

2.4. Leaving Room for Other Interpretations

In addition to constructive criticism, where we point out issues in another researcher’s findings, we can discuss the work through a different interpretation.

✔ Stating that the author’s work is open to other interpretations Our study concluded that Altman’s (2006) data could be examined through a social identity view , leading us to complementary results.

The use of hedging, criticism, and alternative interpretations shape academic discourse. Hedging promotes a culture of humility and openness, where researchers are aware of their knowledge’s provisional nature.

2.5. Anticipating Possible Objections

Academic researchers and writers continually risk being proven wrong and facing opposition. Hedging involves anticipating potential criticism of our work and using techniques to reduce writing too assertively and confidently. You want to write precisely and honestly but with caution. Let’s look at a bold claim that might draw opposition.

✖ Claim that can result in objections and opposition Although other researchers have examined how college students use generative AI, this is the first study to examine how they use it in writing assignments. ✔ Improved claim using hedging Although other researchers have examined how college students use generative AI, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine how they use it in writing assignments.

As a researcher, you can never be sure that you are the first to study a particular phenomenon or situation, but you can say that you are the first, as far as you know.

3. Risks of Over-Hedging

While hedging is a great technique to protect against the risk of opposition to our research, overusing hedging can be another problem. You should only hedge when you find yourself making bold claims that can be interpreted differently or argued against by the reader. Don’t use hedging immediately following a strong assertion that you intended to be strong. Also, avoid using too many hedging words that the reader will find confusing.

Don’t make a strong assertion followed by a weak statement ✖ The findings clearly demonstrate that males may have greater muscle strength than females. ✔ It is clear that males have greater muscle strength than females.

Avoid using multiple hedging words in the same statement ✖ It might , given this particular scenario, be suggested that it is possible that males may have greater muscle strength than females. ✔ In this particular scenario, males may have greater muscle strength than females.

Hedging in academic writing refers to using language that indicates uncertainty or caution. Hedging is important because it shows that the writer is aware of the complexities and limitations of their research. Readers can sometimes misinterpret hedging as a lack of certainty and may perceive hedged statements as less authoritative, so please be very careful while using hedging language.

If you have any questions, please drop a comment below, and we will answer as soon as possible. We also recommend you to refer to our other blogs on  academic writing tools ,   academic writing resources ,  academic writing phrases ,  research paper examples  and  research paper writing tips  which are relevant to the topic discussed in this blog. 

Similar Posts

The Best Order to Write a Research Paper

In this blog we will look at the perfect sequence for drafting a research manuscript.

Useful Phrases and Sentences for Academic & Research Paper Writing

In this blog, we explain various sections of a research paper and give you an overview of what these sections should contain.

Research Methodology –  5 Beginner Writing Mistakes to Avoid

In this blog, we will look at five common mistakes to avoid while writing the methodology section of your research paper.

Writing a Medical Clinical Trial Research Paper – Example & Format

In this blog, we will teach you step-by-step how to write a clinical trial research paper for publication in a high quality scientific journal.

Improve Academic Writing Skills Using REF-N-WRITE Scientific Writing Software Tool

In this blog, we explain why academic writing is a difficult skill to master, and how students can use Ref-n-write to get better at it.

Mastering Verb Tenses in Literature Reviews

In this blog, we will see what tense you should use in the literature review section of your research paper.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• 3 Share Facebook
• 1 Share Twitter
• 0 Share LinkedIn
• 0 Share Email

• EW Liaison Portal
• Academic Essay
• Analytical Art Essay
• Analytical Book Review
• Analytical Film Review
• Argumentative Essay
• Literature Reviews
• Project Report
• Reflective Essay
• Disciplinary Genres
• Useful Links

You are here

• Writing body paragraphs
• Useful resources
• Assignment Guidelines
• Assignment Guideline

5.     Hedging

While you want to convince the reader that your arguments are valid, be careful not to use overly strong language. Expressing opinions or making claims in overly strong language leaves you open to attack by critical readers. Such statements will often be doubted by readers thereby reducing your power and authority as a writer. To avoid such a situation, when stating ideas, you should use tentative rather than assertive language. This is known as hedging.

Below is a list of common hedging techniques.

1.  Use hedging verbs

The following ‘hedging’ verbs are often used in academic writing :

suggest         indicate         estimate         imply                    

E.g. The results indicate that social networking sites can enhance the cohesion of communities.

The verb appear is used to ‘distance’ the writer from the findings (and therefore avoid making a strong claim and be subject to criticism from readers). 

E.g. On the evidence of the research findings, it would appear not all students can benefit equally from online learning. 

Note that the writer also ‘protects’ himself or herself by using the phrase on the evidence of . The following expressions are used in a similar way: according to , on the basis of , based on .        

2.  Use modal verbs

Another way of appearing ‘confidently uncertain’ is to use modal verbs such as may , might and could . 

E.g. In the case of students from low income families, they may feel disadvantaged by not having a stable Internet connection to follow online lessons.

3.  Use adverbs

The following adverbs are often used when a writer wishes to express caution.

probably           possibly             perhaps            arguably      

        apparently        seemingly        presumably       conceivably 

E.g. As well as being divisive, the existence of fraudulent information is arguably a threat to the very principles of an egalitarian society.

4.  Use adjectives

Another technique is to use an adjective.

        probable        possible      arguable     unlikely      likely

E.g. A possible solution to address students’ Internet addiction is that universities can extend their intervention programmes to the management of student stress levels.

E.g. With timely intervention, it is likely that students will be able to handle their stress more effectively.

5.  Use nouns

The following nouns are often used to hedge:

probability     possibility     evidence  likelihood      indication    

E.g. The evidence suggests that undergraduates could benefit from more face-to-face social interaction on campus.

E.g. There is some indication in the research literature that online gaming could lead to Internet addiction.

For Writing Teachers

• Learn@PolyU
• EWR Consultation Booking
• Information Package for NEW Writing Teachers (Restricted Access)
• Useful materials

For CAR Teachers

• Writing Requirement Information
• Reading Requirement Information

About this website

This website is an open access website to share our English Writing Requirement (General Education) writing support materials to support these courses

• to support PolyU students’ literacy development within and across the disciplines
• to support subject and language teachers to implement system-level measures for integrating literacy-sensitive pedagogies across the university

This platform provides access to generic genre guides representing typical university assignments as well as links to subjects offered by faculties with specific disciplinary genres and relevant support materials.

The materials can be retrieved by students by choosing the genres that interest them on the landing page. Each set of materials includes a genre guide, genre video, and a genre checklist. The genre guide and video are to summarize the genres in two different ways (i.e. textual and dynamic) to fit different learning styles. The genre checklist is for students to self-regulate their writing process. The genre guide and checklist include links to various ELC resources that can provide further explanation to language items (e.g. hedging and academic vocabulary).

The platform also acts as a one-stop-shop for writing resources for students, language teachers and subject leaders. Information about the English Writing Requirement policy can also be found on this platform. There are training materials for new colleagues joining the EWR Liaison Team.

What is Hedging in Academic Writing?  

In academic writing, researchers and scholars need to consider the tonality and sweep of their statements and claims. They need to ask themselves if they are being too aggressive in trying to prove a point or too weak. If you’ve ever struggled to ensure your academic writing sounds confident yet acknowledges the inherent complexities of research, Hedging is a technique that can help you achieve just that.  

Hedging is a linguistic strategy that helps soften the claims and express the degree of uncertainty or certainty that an author wants to convey based on their research and available evidence. In this blog post, we’ll explore what hedging is and why it’s important in academic writing. We’ll also provide practical tips on how to use hedging effectively, including avoiding common mistakes and recognizing the role of context.   

Table of Contents

• What is the importance of hedging in academic writing?  
• How to use hedging in academic writing?  
• Understand context and appropriate usage 
• Use precise and accurate language 
• Provide supporting evidence and justification 
• Seek feedback and peer review 

What is the importance of hedging in academic writing?

The element or degree of uncertainty in academic knowledge and science cannot be overlooked. Hence, making absolute claims in educational and research writing can run counter to the traditional understandings of science as tentative. By employing hedging, academic writers and researchers acknowledge the possibilities for alternative perspectives and interpretations. In doing so, researchers and scholars accept the fact that their statements are open to discussions and debates. Hedging also lends credibility to their claims.  

Consider the following statements:  

‘Eating more than four eggs a day causes heart disease’ or  

‘People who rise early remain alert throughout the day.’  

These statements sow seeds of doubt or lead to many questions among readers. However, they can be made more flexible and open to discussion by adding words like ‘probably’ and ‘could.’  

Let’s review the modified sentences again:  

‘Eating more than four eggs a day could cause heart disease’ or  

‘People who rise early probably remain alert throughout the day.’ 1         

How to use hedging in academic writing?

While hedging in academic writing is inevitable, it should not be overused. Researchers must know how to hedge and develop this skill to deliver credible research. The writer can utilize specific hedging devices to make a well-reasoned statement.   

These include the use of grammatical tools like:   

• Verbs such as suggest, tend to seem to indicate. For example, ‘Earlier studies indicate…’  
• Modal auxiliaries such as may, might, can, and could. For example, ‘Industries can make use of …’  
• Adjectives such as much, many, some, perhaps. For example, ‘within some micro-credit groups.’  
• Adverbs such as probably, likely, often, seldom, sometimes.  
• ‘That’ clauses: for example, ‘It is evident that…’  
• Distance – it is helpful to distance oneself from the claims made. For example, you present it in the following ways: ‘Based on the preliminary study…’, ‘On the limited data available…’.  

A combination of such devices may be used to balance the strength of your claims. For example, in double hedging, the statement can be: ‘It seems almost certain that…’.  

However, overuse of hedging can dilute the impact of your arguments. Ideally, hedging should enhance clarity and foster a space for discussion, not create unnecessary ambiguity. 

Edgar Allan Poe, the renowned American writer, encapsulated the essence of doubt with his insightful words: ‘The believer is happy, the doubter is wise.’ This sentiment aptly captures the advantages of employing hedging in academic writing. While robust evidence and data may be the basis of an argument, the practice of hedging ensures that ideas are presented not as overconfident assertions but as credible and considerate viewpoints. Through cautious language, academic writers create an atmosphere of respect and openness. This approach not only acknowledges varied perspectives but also signals to readers that the author is receptive to counterthoughts and alternative viewpoints. It promotes a more prosperous and more inclusive scholarly discourse. Here are some tips for the effective use of hedging in academic writing.   

Tips to leverage hedging in academic writing

Hedging in academic writing isn’t just about softening claims; it’s about strategically conveying the strength of your evidence and fostering a nuanced discussion. Here are some key tips to help you leverage hedging effectively: 

Understand context and appropriate usage

Employing hedging solely for the sake of it can disrupt the flow and result in counterproductive outcomes, potentially inviting unnecessary critique and doubts regarding the credibility of the work. 2 The very purpose of hedging is to balance the tone of your claims such that it does not appear overconfident or too weak, so you need to be conscious of the context and hedge appropriately. So, how do you use a cautious tone through hedging? To express a balanced tone in the claims, you need to use a mix of hedging devices to convey low to high certainty about your claims. For example, for low certainty, words used can be ‘may, could, might’; for medium certainty, words such as ‘likely, appears to, generally’; and high certainty words such as ‘must, should, undoubtedly.’ It all depends on the evidence you have at hand.  

Use precise and accurate language

The use of precise and accurate language is critical, particularly the use of the right strength of the hedging device based on the evidence you have. Be careful that the claims are not presented as too weak such that they defeat your main argument and idea. It is important to remember that hedging requires refined linguistic skills. For instance, when employing hedging words such as ‘possibly’ and ‘probably,’ it is crucial to understand their subtle distinctions. ‘Possibly’ should be reserved for situations where an outcome is within the realm of feasibility – ‘The weather data shows that it will likely rain tomorrow.’ On the other hand, ‘probably’ indicates a higher likelihood, albeit without absolute certainty – ‘The latest weather data shows it will probably rain next week.’   

Provide supporting evidence and justification

When you provide supporting evidence and justification, you will be able to express the degree of certainty more clearly and also recognize what is less specific. Be careful not to generalize or make categorical statements without any supporting evidence. Neglecting the responsibility to substantiate statements with information dilutes their impact. Embracing data not only imparts accuracy and precision to claims but also bolsters their credibility. Further, the use of hedging in academic writing helps communicate the claim clearly based on evidence at the time of doing research and writing. It acknowledges that situations can change, and discoveries may be made at a later date.   

Seek feedback and peer review

It is always recommended to have your work read thoroughly by a third person or a colleague/faculty member. Outside feedback and a peer review process can highlight specific areas in your work that may require a certain degree of improvement or refinement. By actively seeking feedback, a distinct message is conveyed – the willingness to expose ideas to the crucible of critical assessment. This proactive approach not only signals a receptivity to constructive insights but also exemplifies scholarly integrity that places value on the collective pursuit of knowledge. In embracing this feedback loop, the practice of hedging not only upholds the ethos of academic rigour but also creates an ecosystem of continuous improvement and growth.  

Hedging is a linguistic tool that reflects a willingness to embrace diverse perspectives in the pursuit of knowledge. As academicians navigate their respective fields, hedging emerges as an ally, facilitating a nuanced discourse that pushes the boundaries of scholarship forward.  

References:   

• IELTS Task 2 essays: formal writing (hedging) – https://ieltsetc.com/2020/12/hedging-in-academic-writing/   
• Hedging in academic writing: Some theoretical problems, Peter Crompton (1997) – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S088949069700007   

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed.  Try for free or  upgrade to Paperpal Prime  starting at US$19 a month  to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

Experience the future of academic writing –  Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!  

Related Reads:

• How to Paraphrase Research Papers Effectively
• How to Cite Social Media Sources in Academic Writing? 
• How Long Should a Chapter Be?
• Do Plagiarism Checkers Detect AI Content?

How to Use AI to Enhance Your College Essays and Thesis

Paperpal’s new ai research finder empowers authors to research, write, cite, all in one place, you may also like, chicago style citation guide: understanding the chicago manual..., what is the purpose of an abstract why..., what are citation styles which citation style to..., what are the types of literature reviews , abstract vs introduction: what is the difference , mla format: guidelines, template and examples , machine translation vs human translation: which is reliable..., dissertation printing and binding | types & comparison , what is a dissertation preface definition and examples , how to write a research proposal: (with examples....

• I nfographics
• Show AWL words
• Subscribe to newsletter
• What is academic writing?
• Academic Style
• What is the writing process?
• Understanding the title
• Brainstorming
• Researching
• First draft
• Proofreading
• Report writing
• Compare & contrast
• Cause & effect
• Problem-solution
• Classification
• Essay structure
• Introduction
• Literature review
• Book review
• Research proposal
• Thesis/dissertation
• What is cohesion?
• Cohesion vs coherence
• Transition signals
• What are references?
• In-text citations
• Reference sections
• Reporting verbs
• Band descriptors

Show AWL words on this page.

Levels 1-5:     grey  Levels 6-10:   orange 

Show sorted lists of these words.

Any words you don't know? Look them up in the website's built-in dictionary .

Choose a dictionary .  Wordnet  OPTED  both

Hedging Using cautious language

Hedging, or 'being cautious', is an important component of academic style . This section explains what hedging is , then looks at different ways to hedge, namely using introductory verbs , modal verbs , adverbs , adjectives , nouns , and some other ways such as adverbs of frequency and introductory phrases. There is as an example passage so you can see each type of hedging in an authentic text, and, at the end, a checklist so you can check your understanding.

What is hedging?

For another look at the same content, check out YouTube or Youku , or the infographic .

Hedging, also called caution or cautious language or tentative language or vague language , is a way of softening the language by making the claims or conclusions less absolute. It is especially common in the sciences, for example when giving a hypothesis or presenting results, though it is also used in other disciplines to avoid presenting conclusions or ideas as facts, and to distance the writer from the claims being made.

The following is a short extract from an authentic academic text, with the hedging in blue (the full article is available here: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5855 ).

Although duration of smoking is also important when considering risk, it is highly correlated with age, which itself is a risk factor, so separating their effects can be difficult; however, large studies tend to show a relation between duration and risk. Because light smoking seems to have dramatic effects on cardiovascular disease, shorter duration might also be associated with a higher than expected risk.

Hedges can be contrasted with boosters (such as 'will' or 'definitely' or 'always'), which allow writers to express their certainty. These are less commonly used in academic writing, though tend to be overused by learners of academic English in place of more cautious language.

Introductory verbs

Check out the hedging infographic »

There are various introductory verbs which allow the writer to express caution rather than certainty in their writing. The following is a list of some of the most common ones. Some of these are linked to cautious nouns , adverbs or adjectives , in which case these are also given.

• tend to ➞ tendency (n)
• assume ➞ assumption (n)
• indicate ➞ indication (n)
• estimate ➞ estimate (n)
• seem to ➞ seemingly (adv)
• appear to be ➞ apparently (adv)
• doubt ➞ doubtful (adj)

Modal verbs

Another way of being cautious is to use the modal verbs expressing uncertainty, in place of stronger, more certain modals such as will or would . The following are modals which express uncertainty.

There are many adverbs which can be used to express caution. Some of these are associated with cautious adjectives or nouns , in which case these are also given. The adverbs can be divided into two types: modal adverbs, which are related to the possibility of something happening, and adverbs of frequency, which give information on how often something happens.

• probably ➞ probable (adj), probability (n)
• possibly ➞ possible (adj), possibility (n)
• seemingly ➞ seem to (v)
• apparently ➞ appear to be (v)
• conceivably

The following adjectives can be used to express caution. Again, some of these are associated with other word forms, in which case these are also given.

• probable ➞ probably (adv), probability (n)
• possible ➞ possibly (adv), possibility (n)
• likely ➞ likelihood (n)
• doubtful ➞ doubt (v)

The following nouns can be used to express caution. Some of these are associated with other word forms, in which case these are also given.

• probability ➞ probably (adv), probable (adj)
• possibility ➞ possibly (adv), possible (adj)
• likelihood ➞ likely (adj)
• assumption ➞ assume (v)
• tendency ➞ tend to (v)
• indication ➞ indicate (v)
• estimate ➞ estimate (v)

Other phrases

There are three other ways to express caution. The first is to use words or phrases to show frequency, degree, quantity and time.

• occasionally
• approximately

The second way is to use introductory phrases, such as the following.

• It is generally agreed that
• In our opinion
• In our view
• It is our view that
• We feel that
• We believe that
• I believe that
• To our knowledge
• One would expect that

The final way is to use if clauses.

• if anything

Example passage

Below is an example passage. It is taken from the Limitations section of an article in the BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal). It is used to give examples of different types of hedging in an authentic academic text (use the buttons to highlight different types of hedging). The full article, published on 17 July 2019, is available here: https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l4786 .

This study has a few limitations. Firstly, we excluded 25% of the households from analysis because of missing information on either income or BMI. It is unlikely that such missing information is related to price elasticity or purchase behaviour [...] however, it may have resulted in some bias for the pooled values across groups. [...] Secondly, the baseline daily energy purchase estimates are sample average estimates that do not consider age or sex of the household members who could have different energy requirements. [...] Thirdly, we used a static model for weight loss based on changes in energy consumption, which might not fully reflect actual mechanisms of weight change. [...] Fourthly, the study does not reflect on the substitution of nutrients alongside changes in energy. For example, reduction in energy from high sugar snacks could lead to substitution of other foods that are lower in energy content but perhaps higher in other nutrients of concern, such as saturated fats or salt. The health impacts of such substitutes should be further analysed and considered in the decision making process around food price policies. Furthermore, the satiety index of sugary snacks can vary greatly: some high sugar snacks could reduce overeating at meals, hence the overall impact of reduced consumption of high sugar snacks would be partly cancelled out by consumption of larger portions during mealtimes. Studies of sugary drinks only would be prone to this phenomenon, as the satiety effect of sugar sweetened beverages is generally low. 50 Fifthly, we assumed that all food purchased was consumed, which is unlikely , and some food will inevitably be waste. However, although the link between purchasing and consumption is far from perfect, it is strong (eg, 51 ), and our estimates on the effect of price rises on change in energy purchased is likely to be similar to that on consumption even if absolute values differ.

Bailey, S. (2000). Academic Writing. Abingdon: RoutledgeFalmer

Hyland, K. (2006) English for Academic Purposes: An advanced resource book . Abingdon: Routledge.

Hyland, K. (2009) Academic Discourse: English in a Global Context . London: Continuum.

Jordan, R.R. (1997) English for Academic Purposes: A guide and resource book for teachers . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

GET FREE EBOOK

Like the website? Try the books. Enter your email to receive a free sample from Academic Writing Genres .

Below is a checklist. Use it to check your understanding.

Next section

Read more about describing data in the next section.

Previous section

Go back to the previous section about transition signals .

• Transitions

Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 03 February 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

Hedging language  refers to how a writer expresses certainty or uncertainty. Often in academic writing, a writer may not be sure of the claims that are being made in their subject area, or perhaps the ideas are good but the evidence is not very strong. It is common, therefore, to use language of caution or uncertainty (known as  hedging language).

Hedging verbs

The verbs  appear and  seem may be used to express uncertainty.  Appear and  seem can be used with existential clauses (the verb  to be ) to indicate caution.

• There appears to be a correlation between social class and likelihood of getting to university,  
• It seems to be  the case that non-native speakers of English rely more on the mother tongue.

The verbs  appear  and  seem  may also be followed by the  subordinating conjunction

• It appears as if/though  they had been working together
• It seems as if/though  expeditions to Mars will be possible in the future.

Appear and  seem can also be used with  that + clause

• It seems that the scope of the native speaker in Korea is narrow and limited in the sense that the Americans are believed to be an absolute image of a native speaker.

A writer may also use reporting verbs to express uncertainty about a claim:

• Other studies suggest that using L1 supports the development of language acquisition. 
• Larsen-Freeman and Long (1991) argue that input alone is not enough for language acquisition.
• Liu et al. (2004) claim that around a number of students are expected to drop out of their  course early. 

Modal Verbs

A writer can also hedge their claims by using modals of uncertainty (may/might, could, can) :

• Advocacy groups may ask an institution such as judges, politicians or scientists, to take on, highlight or, in the best case, show support towards their particular stance.
• A policy image might be fit  into one venue better than another.
• In the 1950s, the American Government put forward a positive image of nuclear power as a new source of cheap and endless energy that could help reduce the dependence on imported oils.
• Policy actors can make use of scientific evidence to increase the legitimacy for their stance.

That  Clauses

Writers may also express uncertainty using a number of  that clauses. For example:

• It is clear that ...
• It is apparent that ...
• It may be perceived that ...
• It has been suggested/argued/claimed that ...
• It seems evident that ...

Adverbs may be used to express uncertainty. Note that these adverbs often go just before the main verb in a sentence. For example:

• All teachers were fully aware of the class being recorded, so they probably spoke more English than they usually would. 
• She argues that strategies of expansion do not necessarily have to involve authoritative institutions only. 
• There are always a number of issues which could potentially get onto the agenda.

A writer may also use a combination of structures:

• Research on the experiences of university students  appears to indicate that  social class is a determiner of participation in student societies.
• Early reports  seem to suggest that  a deal between the US and Iran may be signed before midnight.
• It appears that it may not be possible for all participants to be interviewed.

Rewrite the sentence using the prompts.

1. Students benefit most from relationships outside the classroom (John and Edwards, 2007)

John and Edwards (2007)  JXUwMDM5JXUwMDEzJXUwMDE1JXUwMDEyJXUwMDEw JXUwMDJjJXUwMDFjJXUwMDA5JXUwMDE1 students benefit most from relationships outside the classroom.

2. Students live in student accommodation.

Students JXUwMDJjJXUwMDExJXUwMDBiJXUwMDBh JXUwMDJjJXUwMDFi live in student accommodation.

3. Listening skills improve through classroom activities and interaction outside the classroom.

It JXUwMDM5JXUwMDExJXUwMDAwJXUwMDE1JXUwMDA0JXUwMDEzJXUwMDAx JXUwMDM5JXUwMDEy if listening skills improve through classroom activities and interaction outside the classroom.

4. A lot of international students mix well with domestic students.

It JXUwMDMxJXUwMDFh JXUwMDNkJXUwMDEzJXUwMDFmJXUwMDBkJXUwMDAxJXUwMDBiJXUwMDFh JXUwMDJjJXUwMDFjJXUwMDA5JXUwMDE1 many international students mix well with domestic students.

5. Students don't need to translate words from Chinese to English.

necessarily

Students JXUwMDNjJXUwMDBi JXUwMDM2JXUwMDAxJXUwMDFi JXUwMDM2JXUwMDBiJXUwMDA2JXUwMDA2JXUwMDE2JXUwMDAwJXUwMDEyJXUwMDEzJXUwMDFiJXUw MDA1JXUwMDE1 need to translate words from Chinese into English.#

6. Regular IELTS practice has a positive effect on listening skills.

It may JXUwMDNhJXUwMDA3 JXUwMDI4JXUwMDE1JXUwMDE3JXUwMDExJXUwMDBhJXUwMDBjJXUwMDEzJXUwMDEzJXUwMDAx JXUwMDJjJXUwMDFjJXUwMDA5JXUwMDE1 regular IELTS practice has a positive effect on listening skills.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

IELTS with Fiona

A comprehensive guide to IELTS

Bronze Members Log in

IELTS Task 2 essays: formal writing (hedging)

By ieltsetc on December 17, 2020

Hedging is a really important feature of academic writing.

But what is hedging and how can you use it in your Task 2 essays?

This lesson teaches you 10 ways to 'hedge' and includes an interactive practise exercise.

Thank you for your interest in my IELTS lessons and tips.

Come and join the Bronze Membership to access this fabulous lesson and lots more.

Get access to all 200+ IELTS lessons for a month (cancel any time).

Learn more Login

Reader Interactions

October 11, 2022 at 10:24 pm

Impressive ideas. Thanks for this exceptional article. I will practice this from now on. Stay Blessed and Keep it up. 😀

November 16, 2022 at 9:05 am

Thanks Umair – same to you. Best wishes Fiona

October 2, 2021 at 3:42 am

I mean definition of hedging in academic writing

October 7, 2021 at 6:11 pm

Hi Chibuzor. The definition is explained in the article above. Best wishes Fiona

August 22, 2022 at 12:21 pm

August 18, 2021 at 2:52 pm

I am confused that if the hedging words will make our article less persuasive and make my stance less steady?

August 28, 2021 at 11:00 pm

Hi Eitan and thanks for your message. I understand why you might think this, but I hope you can see from the examples in the article, that hedging simply allows you to be more cautious with making claims that may be opinion or may not have any evidence to support them. Best wishes Fiona

July 13, 2021 at 4:15 pm

I am confused about a sentence given in this website. It would be great if you could just help me out with it.

Video games make (makes)people violent Just wanted to confirm which one is the right.

July 13, 2021 at 5:46 pm

Hi Alphonsa! Thank you so much – it was a typo! Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you find any typos. Sometimes I just don’t see them. All the best with your studies! Best wishes and thanks again, Fiona

August 9, 2022 at 8:45 am

Hello Alphonso right sentence is video games make people violent(Because here you use plural form and with plural form( video games) so plural verb should be in sentence). If I am wrong then please clarify

August 22, 2022 at 12:18 pm

Hi Alphonsa Yes, ‘video games’ is plural so I use the plural form ‘video games make people violent’, Best wishes Fiona

August 22, 2022 at 12:20 pm