Hedging in
Academic Writing
by Karina Aghababyan
What is Hedging Language?
Hedging language is used when a writer wants to express
uncertainty or caution in what they're saying. In academic
writing, sometimes a writer may not be completely sure
about the claims they're making, or the evidence may not be
strong enough. To avoid sounding too definite, they use
softer or less direct language to show that they're not 100%
certain. This is called hedging.
What is the Use of Hedging?
People use hedged language for several different purposes but
perhaps the most fundamental are the following:
1. To minimize the possibility of another academic opposing the
claims that are being made
2. To conform to the currently accepted style of academic writing
3. 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
Introductory Verbs
e.g. seem, tend, look like,
Certain Lexical Verbs
appear to be, think,
e.g. believe,
believe, doubt, be sure,
assume, suggest
indicate, suggest
That Clauses
Modal Adverbs
e.g. It could be the case that...
possibly, perhaps,
e.g. It might be suggested that...
conceivably
e.g. There is every hope that...
Consider the following hedging language examples:
1. "Some people might say that the commitment to certain social
and economic ideas wasn't as strong in the past as it is today."
2. "Today, many people might think that the lives they chose
were too strict and self-denying."
In both statements, the writers are expressing uncertainty about
their claims, using phrases like "may be said" and "may seem."
The Types and Use of Hedging
Strategies in English
Hedging
strategies
in
English
help
speakers
navigate
uncertainty, ambiguity, and nuance. They include various
linguistic techniques to soften statements and encourage
collaborative discourse.
1. Lexical Hedging
Lexical hedging involves using adverbs and phrases to
soften statements and convey uncertainty. Words like
"perhaps," "possibly," and "likely" allow speakers to
introduce nuance into their assertions. For example,
"Perhaps the most plausible explanation is..." and "It seems
that..." signal uncertainty and invite alternative viewpoints.
2. Syntactic Hedging
Syntactic hedging uses grammatical structures like modal
verbs (e.g., "might," "could") and conditional clauses (e.g.,
"If X holds true, then Y is likely to follow"). These structures
express the conditional or hypothetical nature of statements,
encouraging
dialogue
and
consideration
of
different
perspectives. For example, "It might be argued that..."
acknowledges alternative viewpoints.
3. Discourse-level Hedging
Discourse-level hedging softens statements at a broader level,
using phrases like "It appears that..." or "Some researchers
suggest that..." to introduce information tentatively. This
encourages negotiation of meaning and co-construction of
ideas, fostering inclusive and respectful communication. For
example, "It appears that the data suggest..." allows for
exploration of multiple interpretations.
Hedging is used in various fields to manage uncertainty and
encourage collaboration.
- Academic Writing: Scholars use hedging to acknowledge the
limitations of their research, using phrases like "This study
suggests that..." and "It is conceivable that..." to invite critical
evaluation. For instance, "Based on current data, it appears that
human activity is a significant factor in global warming" allows
room for debate.
- Business Communication: Professionals use hedging to soften demands
and encourage collaboration. Phrases like "We may need to reconsider our
approach..." promote openness to alternative strategies. For example,
"While I believe this approach could be effective, we should also
consider other options" invites team input.
- Legal Discourse: Lawyers use hedging to qualify arguments and
anticipate counterpoints. Phrases like "It is arguable that..." allow for
ambiguity, which fosters fairness. For example, "There is some evidence to
suggest that..." helps in critically evaluating legal arguments.
- Media and Public Relations: Journalists and PR professionals
hedge to convey speculative or complex information carefully.
This helps maintain credibility, with phrases like "Some experts
believe that..." softening assertions to invite further investigation.
- Political Discourse: Politicians hedge to navigate delicate issues
and balance transparency with discretion. Statements like "We
are exploring various options to address this complex issue"
signal flexibility and invite public dialogue.
In conclusion, hedging in English communication is key for managing
uncertainty, showing caution, and promoting collaboration. By
softening
statements
and
allowing
for
interpretation,
hedging
encourages politeness and thoughtful discussion in fields like
academia, business, law, media, and politics. In academic writing, it
helps writers acknowledge the complexity of their topics and the
limits of their evidence, enhancing credibility. Overall, effective
hedging enriches conversations and fosters a better understanding of
different viewpoints.