WRITING / Hedging / Caution phrases 

 Hedging / Caution Phrases

An important feature of academic writing is the concept of cautious language, often called “hedging” or “vague language“. In other words, it is necessary to make decisions about your stance on a particular subject, or the strength of the claims you are making

Hedging Video

If you can’t access this YouTube video in your country, go here

Hedging Language

An important feature of academic writing is the concept of cautious language, often called “hedging” or “vague language“. In other words, it is necessary to make decisions about your stance on a particular subject, or the strength of the claims you are making.

Introductory verbs: e.g. seem, tend, look like, appear to be, think, believe, doubt, be sure, indicate, suggest 

Certain lexical verbs: e.g. believe, assume, suggest

Certain modal verbs: e.g. will, must, would, may, might, could

Adverbs of frequency: e.g. often, sometimes, usually 

Modal adverbs: e.g. certainly, definitely, clearly, probably, possibly, perhaps, conceivably, 

Modal adjectives: e.g. certain, definite, clear, probable, possible

Modal nouns: e.g. assumption, possibility, probability

That clauses e.g. It could be the case that . e.g. It might be suggested that . e.g. There is every hope that . 

To-clause + adjective: e.g. It may be possible to obtain . e.g. It is important to develop . e.g. It is useful to study .

Source: http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/hedge.htm

Hedging Language Exercise

Rewrite these sentences using hedging language.

1.Playing violent video games causes more aggression, bullying, and fighting.

2.Mars is the focus of much scientific study and the foremost planet for human colonisation.

1. It is assumed that playing violent video games may cause more aggression, bullying, and fighting.

2. Mars is certainly the focus of much scientific study and often considered the foremost planet for human colonisation.

For a detailed worksheet and another 6 exercises – buy the Hedging #1 download below.

Hedging #1: Cautious language exercises

This worksheet is for teachers or students. It provides an overview of hedging / cautious language and 8 exercises to practise using hedging language to demonstrate caution. (see worksheet example)  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]. TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

 

x

Advanced Academic Hedging Lesson 

Aim: To support students in their understanding and use of hedging (cautious/tentative) language.

Time: 60 minutes plus homework task.

hedging language verbs & adverbs
hedging language probability

 

 Hedging #2: Cautious / tentative language

This lesson supports students in their understanding & use of cautious / tentative language.The lesson includes six tasks of guided practice & two tasks of freer practice (see worksheet exampleTime: 60mins & homework.  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]. TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

*
 

      Memberships (Teacher / Institutional)

      Full access to everything -  £100 £200 / £550

 Join today*x

More Writing Resources 

More digital resources and lessons

 

Readings

online resources

Tests

online resources

academic Grammar by Academic English UK

Grammar

online resources

Medical English

Medical English

online resources

new resources 2024

New for 2024

online resources

Dropbox Files AEUK

DropBox Files

Members only

Writing

online resources

Summary

online resources

academic vocabulary

Vocabulary

online resources

instant academic English Lessons by AEUK

Instant Lessons

online resources

academic marking criteria

Marking Criteria

online resources

OneDrive Files

OneDrive Files

Members only

Listening

online resources

argument essays AEUK

Argument

online resources

critical thinking

Critical Thinking

online resources

topic lesson Books by AEUK

Topic-lessons

online resources

Peer feedback forms

Feedback Forms

online resources

6-week academic English course

6-Week Course

Members only

Speaking

online resources

SPSE Lessons by AEUK

SPSE Essays

online resources

free resources

Free Resources

online resources

graphs and charts

Charts and graphs

online resources

AEUK The Blog

online resources

12- week academic English course

12-Week Course

Members only

Advertisement:

Black Friday Memberships sale final day
Black Friday Final Day Sale

BLACK FRIDAY SALE up to 30% off

Offer ends 2nd December

Take me there

You have Successfully Subscribed!