C1 · Lesson 13 · 25 min
Hedging and stance
In this lesson
- I can qualify a claim without making its meaning unclear.
- I can use common hedging patterns accurately and match their strength to the evidence.
Grammar in context
The small survey suggests that visitors tend to prefer shorter tours. The longer tours appear to attract more experienced visitors. These findings may well be useful, although the sample is too small for a firm conclusion.
Which expressions describe a tendency, an impression and a plausible possibility? What limits the writer’s confidence?
Qualify a claim for a reason
Hedging allows a speaker or writer to indicate limits, uncertainty or openness to another interpretation. Tend to describes a tendency rather than an exceptionless rule. May and might present possibilities. Arguably signals that a position can be supported but remains open to discussion. A hedge should serve the evidence and purpose; adding several vague words does not automatically make a statement more accurate. Identify what you know and what remains uncertain.
- Small groups tend to finish this task more quickly.
- Arguably, the revised layout is easier to navigate.
Keep the grammatical pattern intact
Appear and seem can take a to-infinitive, while impersonal it appears or it seems can introduce a that-clause. Tend is also followed by a to-infinitive: tends to increase. Use the perfect infinitive to locate an apparent event earlier than the appearance or judgement: appears to have changed. The hedge does not remove the need for clear tense, subject–verb agreement or a correctly formed complement.
- The error appears to have affected only one account.
- It seems that the new route is less reliable.
Degrees of commitment and register
May well often presents a possibility as quite plausible, without guaranteeing it. Would seem can soften a present conclusion, especially in a considered or formal discussion; it need not refer to past time. Words such as clearly and undoubtedly strengthen commitment rather than hedge it. Choose a level of commitment that your evidence supports, and avoid hiding responsibility when a direct statement is both accurate and more useful to the reader.
- A later start may well improve attendance.
- It would seem that the first estimate was too optimistic.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
The results appear confirm our view.
Use
The results appear to confirm our view.
Appear takes a to-infinitive in this pattern.
Avoid
This approach tends reduce costs.
Use
This approach tends to reduce costs.
Tend is followed by to plus a base verb.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.