EAP 1

Week 9 Hedging

EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020

1
Hedging
Academic writers make claims about facts that are based on research.
They must be careful about making claims that sound absolute.
ESL students have difficulty speaking English in their own
country.
This statement may seem true, but it means ALL ESL students have
difficulty. However, 100% of ESL students everywhere in the world cannot
have difficulty. Good writers need be careful of this and use language that
is less absolute using a technique called Hedging. For example:

ESL students often have difficulty speaking English in their own country.
adding frequency

ESL students may have difficulty speaking English in their own country.
adding possibility
EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020 2
Hedging – Expressions to Avoid
There are some words which have more of an absolute meaning that
should be avoided where possible in academic writing. Here are some.

clearly obviously without a doubt undoubtedly

certainly definitely there is no doubt that absolutely
must always every  
never all everyone knows that  

EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020 3

Word Forms for Hedging – Part 1
There are many different word forms (verbs, adverbs, adjectives, nouns)
that can be used to add to sentences to hedge the information in them.
1) Verbs
suggest indicate estimate assume
appear seem look like believe
according to based on claim think

According to research, the main problem is finding speaking partners.

The results indicate ESL students rarely speak English with family.

EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020 4

Word Forms for Hedging – Part 2
2) Modal Verbs
can could may might
This is also true of younger relatives, who might know some English.
As a result, the Internet may be the best choice to improve their
English.
3) Adverbs
probably possibly perhaps maybe
apparently seemingly presumably conceivably
rarely sometimes often usually

Apparently
Apparently, there has been an increase in English teaching websites.
These sites usually offer free samples but have other paid services.
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Word Forms for Hedging – Part 3
4) Adjectives
probable possible uncertain unlikely
The effectiveness of websites helping spoken English is uncertain.
uncertain
It is unlikely students have the same experience as talking to a teacher.

5) Nouns
probability possibility assumption evidence
likelihood claim  indication  estimate

There’s a possibility some sites have paid services with ESL instructors.
The claim it provides the same experiences has not been researched.

EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020 6

Word Forms for Hedging – Part 4
6) Quantifiers
some a majority of a portion of a number of
many a fraction of a great deal of several
Some students may still not be aware of the online possibilities.
Only a fraction of students use online services compared to f2f classes.
7) Expressions
in some respects in many cases as a rule in principle
to some extent on balance
in many cases
In cases, online services don’t offer as much for the money.
To some extent
extent, these websites don’t have as highly educated staff.
EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020 7
Hedging – Examples – Part 1
Look at the following examples of sentences that have been hedged.
No hedging
The findings of the study clearly show that to improve their vocabulary,
ESL students benefit from studying three hours every day.
Hedging
The findings of the study indicate that to improve their vocabulary, ESL
students may benefit from studying three hours every day.
No hedging
There are cases where this would have been the only method of
transmission.
Hedging
There are certainly cases where this would seem to have been the
only possible method of transmission.
EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020 8
Hedging – Examples – Part 2
No hedging
If the dinosaurs were still roaming the Earth today, the human race
would not exist.
Hedging
If the dinosaurs were still roaming the Earth today, it is extremely
unlikely that the human race would exist.

No hedging
The lack of initiatives to solve the pollution problem is a clear indication
that the Government does not take pollution seriously.
Hedging
The apparent lack of initiatives to solve the pollution problem seems to
suggest that the Government does not take pollution seriously.

EAP 1 RW: Spring, 2020 9