Hedging language

With verbs: appear​, seem, suggest, tend to, indicate.

With passive voice: It is said that...

With "that": There is little evidence that​.

With modal verbs: may, might​, could, should...

With vague language: ​sort of, kind of, somewhat

​EXAMPLES

We use hedging to ​make what we say less direct.

We soften the ​message we want to transmit.

We make our message more polite.​

​USES

HEDGING​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences uses hedging?

• The overseas markets have now declined in importance.

• It appears that the overseas markets have now declined in importance.

Open Ended

Use hedging to make this sentence less direct:

Someone leaked information to the press.

Open Ended

Complete this sentence with a passive to express hedging:

_________ that computers have taken our privacy.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is using hedging for this direct form?

She won't pass the interview.

• There doesn't seem much hope that she'll pass the job interview.

• I'm sure she won't pass the job interview.

• Do you think she'll pass the job interview?

• The job interview won't be passed by her.