Strong claims sound impressive in conversation but lose marks in academic writing. “The internet has destroyed attention spans.” is too absolute. Examiners want cautious, qualified claims. Hedging language — tend to, may, in some cases, it could be argued — is how Band 7+ writers signal that they understand the limits of their argument.
Three layers of hedging
Layer 1 — Modal verbs
- may / might / could
- Possibility — for claims you're not certain about.
- tend to / are likely to
- Generalised pattern, not absolute rule.
- can
- Capability or possibility — softer than 'will'.
Layer 2 — Hedging phrases
- It could be argued that...
- Slightly distances you from the claim — useful in introductions.
- Some / many people argue that...
- Attributes the view to others, not yourself directly.
- There is some evidence that...
- Limits the scope of the claim — better than 'evidence shows that'.
- In some cases / for some students
- Carves out exceptions — defends against the ‘but what about X?’ reader.
Layer 3 — Qualifying adverbs
- often / frequently / generally
- Pattern not absolute.
- to some extent / largely / partly
- Degree qualifier. Useful when something is true but not entirely so.
- potentially / arguably
- Lighter touch than 'definitely' or 'clearly'.
Over-claim — Band 6
- Social media destroys students’ concentration.
- Working from home causes loneliness.
- People will always prefer cars to public transport.
Hedged — Band 7+
- Social media use canerode students’ concentration, particularly when notifications are unmanaged.
- Working from home may contribute to loneliness for some workers, though others find it isolating in measure.
- People tend to prefer cars over public transport in cities where services are infrequent.
Hedge or over-claim?
- 1
Which sentence reads as Band 7+ academic writing?
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.
- 2
Pick the most hedged version of: “Smoking causes cancer.”
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.