Hedging claims

English · C1

The rule

Academic and professional arguments often use cautious language: may, appears to, tends to. Match the strength of the claim to the evidence. A small study does not prove a universal rule.

Example

The findings suggest that the policy may help in similar settings.

Practice

1. Which claim is most cautious?

  1. This proves it works everywhere.
  2. This may help in some contexts.
  3. It always works.
  4. No uncertainty is possible.
Answer and explanation

This may help in some contexts.

May and some limit the claim appropriately.

2. A small study supports…

  1. Unlimited certainty
  2. A conclusion with suitable limitations
  3. Every future prediction
  4. All unrelated claims
Answer and explanation

A conclusion with suitable limitations

The scope of the conclusion must match the evidence.

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