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Grammar reference

Academic Discourse

Hedging and Claim Strength

Qualifiers that match evidence to claim.

c1

Explanation

Hedging adjusts the strength of a claim to the strength of the evidence. Modal verbs, adverbs such as largely and generally, and reporting verbs such as suggests and indicates all hedge. A claim that cannot be false cannot be tested.

Examples

  • The results suggest a modest effect.
  • Broadly, the pattern holds across both cohorts.
  • The data tend to support the earlier finding.

Common mistakes

  • The results prove that the treatment always works.

    The results suggest the treatment may work.

    Evidence strength must match claim strength.

  • All researchers agree.

    Most researchers agree.

    Total claims invite counterexamples.

More Academic Discourse

Ellipsis and Substitution

Avoiding repetition with so, do, one and that.

Nominalisation in Academic Writing

Turning verbs into abstract nouns.

Cohesion Beyond Connectors

Reference, repetition and parallel structure.