It would seem that…: hedging and stance
Make careful, defensible claims, and show how certain you are, in academic and professional English
What you'll be able to do
Write and speak like a careful professional: claim what the evidence supports, no more and no less, and signal your stance politely.
Why hedge?
In academic and professional English, absolute claims (This proves…, Everyone knows…) often sound naive or arrogant. Hedging shows you've thought about the evidence.
| Strong | Hedged |
|---|---|
| This proves that… | This suggests that… / This appears to show… |
| Prices will rise. | Prices are likely to rise. / Prices may well rise. |
| Young people use social media too much. | Young people tend to use social media a great deal. |
| It's the best solution. | It is arguably the best solution. |
- It would seem that the policy has had little effect.cautious conclusion
- The results suggest a link, although further research is needed.careful claim
- To some extent, the problem is one of communication.partly true
- Arguably, this is the most important change in a decade.a defensible opinion
Stance
Adverbs can show your attitude: clearly, admittedly, surprisingly, understandably, presumably.
- Admittedly, the plan is expensive.I accept this point
- Presumably, the delay was caused by the weather.I assume this
Common mistakes
This proves that all students prefer online classes.(from one survey) → This suggests that many students prefer…- Over-hedging:
It might possibly perhaps be the case that…One hedge is enough.
Practice
- Which sentence makes the most careful claim from a single study?Options: The results suggest that exercise may improve memory. · The results prove that exercise improves memory. · Everyone knows that exercise improves memory.
Show the answer
The results suggest that exercise may improve memory. — Suggest and may: a claim the evidence supports.
- Prices _____ rise next year, according to most forecasts.Options: are likely to · will certainly · must
Show the answer
are likely to — Are likely to: a hedged prediction.
- _____, the new system is more complicated, but it saves time.Options: Admittedly · Presumably · Surprisingly
Show the answer
Admittedly — Admittedly: accepting a point before your main argument.
- Which sentence is over-hedged?Options: It might possibly perhaps be the case that costs could rise. · Costs may rise. · Costs are likely to rise.
Show the answer
It might possibly perhaps be the case that costs could rise. — One hedge is enough; piling them up sounds unsure and unclear.
- Young people _____ to spend more time online than older adults. (a general pattern, hedged)
Show the answer
tend — Tend to (or seem / appear to): a general, hedged pattern.
More on this topic: Formal, professional and academic English