Researchers are often uncertain about the significance of their findings and need to use cautious language to make noncommittal statements. This is known as hedging. Common hedges include probably, possibly, perhaps, may, might, apparently, suggest, and indicate. It is quite legitimate for researchers to use language such as this because it protects them from the consequences of any errors of interpretation and reveals that they are aware of the limits of their findings.

However, despite being common practice in scientific writing, hedging should not be used to excess because it weakens the message.



In the first text, the number of hedges weakens the argument so much that it is probably not worth making. In the second text (adapted from Williams, 2007), the verb suggest and the quantifier some enable the author to make an argument about which they may not be fully certain but are confident enough to propose. It is also more reasoned and moderate than aggressively stating “The evidence proves that the differences between...”.

So, academic writing requires you to use hedges to moderate the forcefulness of your arguments. But do not use too many.