What is hedging language (and should you use it)?

What does hedging language look like?

Hedging language is a popular phenomenon in academic or formal writing. You may use hedged words when you want to sound ambiguous or indirect, rather than being straightforward about the topics you are discussing.

Here are some examples of a positive claim versus a sentence with hedged language:

• Positive claim: Research shows that vitamin D promotes hyaluronic acid production, which is essential for keeping your skin hydrated.
• Hedged language: Research suggests that vitamin D may promote hyaluronic acid production, which is believed to be beneficial for keeping your skin hydrated.

Notice how the first sentence is full of words that indicate strong claims like “shows,” “promotes,” and “essential,” while the second sentence uses language that sounds toned down. While the second sentence does not sound as confident, the claims in the second sentence still imply a certain level of confidence.

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Why is hedging language used?

While it’s easy to write about difficult topics with a cautious tone, you also don’t want to appear unsure to your reader. However, it’s not necessarily a bad thing to sound unsure when writing about difficult topics. Hedging language is a simple concept that carries a lot of weight in academic writing. Using hedged words and writing in a cautious tone is actually preferred for a number of reasons:

You don’t want to sound biased

Even if you firmly believe that what you are saying is true, showing too much confidence or bias is often frowned upon. Writing with the attitude that your work is the only correct answer can change how others feel about your work overall.

You want to sound open-minded

The world of academia is constantly shifting. New discoveries are made every day, and research that was held in the highest regard a decade ago may be outdated now. When you make a claim in writing, it’s important to write with the understanding that your findings may have some flaws. Doing so will show that you are open to criticism and can acknowledge that new findings may change your work, which makes your writing more trustworthy.

You want to avoid backlash

A bold claim over a hedged one is more susceptible to receiving harsh criticism. If you make a claim that has no room for alternative answers, you are more likely to be questioned by others conducting research in similar fields. For instance, saying that “eating a healthy diet is the only way to prevent cancer” could easily be disputed by researchers who are knowledgeable on the subject matter.

Common words used in hedging language

Knowing what hedged words look like will help you be aware of it when you’re writing. Here is a list of words that are commonly used in hedging language:

• Probably
• Assumed to be
• It is likely that
• May/might
• Could/can be
• Perhaps
• Suggest

Is hedging language only used in academia?

Hedging is common in academic writing, but we use it more often than we realize. In circumstances where you can’t give a definite answer, you’re more likely to use cautious words. Here are some everyday examples you may be familiar with:

• A rain delay for tomorrow’s game is possible: the forecast for tomorrow says there’s a 40 percent chance of rain in the afternoon.
• Julia might like the scary movie we’re seeing tonight. She wasn’t a big fan of scary movies before, but I think she’s starting to come around to them.
• It’s likely that she caught a cold at the concert.

Get practice with formal writing

Looking to improve your formal writing skills? To get started, learn how to conduct essay research and find credible sources to support your arguments. Then, start your essay off with a strong thesis statement and an engaging introduction. Use our writing tips to help strengthen your writing in every aspect.