Cautious language/hedging
In academic writing we avoid writing as if we are stating facts, instead, we offer our understanding or interpretation of a topic, idea or point. We can use cautious language or hedging to make it clear that we are not making bold claims, as the ideas or arguments we present in our writing may have limitations or may be subject to interpretations.
For example, we can write:
| “The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.” | This is an established fact |
| “Global warming is a major crisis, as scientists have found that temperatures are rising by 1.5 degrees every year (ESA 2018).” | We have brought in evidence to support the definitive claim |
| “Global warming seems to be a major crisis, as it appears that the earth is getting hotter.” | We are tentative or cautious in our writing |
Tips and Techniques
| Example using cautious language | Example not using cautious language | |
| Using Modal Verbs such as "might", "may", "could", and "would" can be used to express uncertainty. | "The results suggest that this approach may be effective." | "The results show that this approach is effective." |
| Using Adverbs such as "possibly", "likely", "perhaps", and "potentially" can be used to indicate the possibility of an outcome. | "This finding potentially suggests that the approach could be successful." | "This finding suggests that the approach is successful." |
| Using Passive Voice to distance the writer from the statement. | "It was found that there was a correlation between the variables." | "I found a correlation between the variables." |
| Using Tentative Language such as "it appears that", "it seems that" and "one possible explanation is". | "Tentatively, these results suggest that there may be a significant relationship between these variables, but further analysis is needed to confirm this." | “These results prove that there is a significant relationship between these variables.” |
Some useful hedging words and phrases are:
- This suggests...
- It is possible that...
- A possible explanation...
- It could be argued that…
- The evidence suggests/implies…
- In some cases this…
- On reflection, it appears that …
Other examples:
- Seems to; tends to; looks like; appears to show; indicates; could be seen as...
- Thinks; assumes; believes; suggests...
- May; might; could; perhaps...
- Probably; possibly; perhaps; conceivably...
