5/29/24, 9:52 AM Hedging Language: When to Use It, and When to Avoid It

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Hedging Language: When to Use It, and When to Avoid It

Hedging Language: When to Use It, and When

to Avoid It
Sep 22, 2023 • 5 min read

Writing Tips

We all use hedging language, but we’re often not aware of doing it or even what it
is! In this blog post, we look at what hedging language is, how to use it, and when
to avoid it.

What Is Hedging Language?

Hedging language is language that is vague or cautious. We use it when we’re not
sure of the accuracy of what we’re saying, or if we want to soften our words, make
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them less direct, or limit or qualify our statements and claims. We may even use it
because we think it makes us sound more polite. In reality, it often makes us sound
unsure.

Hedging Language Examples

There are some words and phrases that signpost hedging language. These are:
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5/29/24, 9:52 AM Hedging Language: When to Use It, and When to Avoid It

Modal verbs: can, could, may, might, should, would

Adjectives: possible, probable, likely, unlikely

Adverbs: conceivably, perhaps, possibly, probably, usually, apparently

Nouns: assumption, likelihood, possibility, probability

Verbs: assume, believe, indicate, interpret, seem, suggest, suppose

Introductory phrases: it appears that, it can be argued that, I assume, it’s

probable that

Vague language: about, kind of, sort of, feel, seems like

How to Use Hedging Language

There are certain subjects and types of media that use hedging language more
frequently than others. For example, you’ve probably heard journalists making
liberal use of the word allegedly.

Academic writing also widely uses hedging because it’s considered good
academic practice. It allows researchers to be clear about what is fact and what is
interpretation or hypothesis.

It’s likely that mass consumption is contributing to global warming.

The above sentence shows the researcher has made a connection between mass
consumption and global warming, but they don’t have enough evidence to say that
mass consumption is definitely contributing to global warming.

While hedging language is much more common in journalism and academia,

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to show that one of their character’s traits is uncertainty. In this case, it’s actually
useful.

How to Use Hedging Language in Blog Posts

When it comes to blog and article writing, consider the context. As highlighted
above, there are some situations where it’s appropriate to convey uncertainty.
These are as follows:

You’re writing about a speculative topic or a topic where there is no definite

answer. For example, if you’re writing a blog post about AI, it would be
appropriate to say:

It’s unclear exactly how AI will impact the freelance writing industry. However, it’s
likely that it will play a role in increasing the efficiency of professionals by allowing
the automation of some tasks.

You’re discussing different viewpoints on a topic where neither one is superior.

For example:

While many people argue that editors should never work for free, others say that
offering free sample edits is a great way to attract and secure new clients.

You are writing about inconclusive data or research findings. For example:

The data suggests that getting less than seven hours of sleep per night reduces
cognitive performance, although further research is needed to determine the true
extent of this effect.

You want to provide advice but respect the reader’s autonomy to make a final
decision. For example:

Ultimately, you should choose the course that feels right for you. Consider your
budget, your preferred learning environment, and how much time Our
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5/29/24, 9:52 AM Hedging Language: When to Use It, and When to Avoid It

When to Avoid Hedging Language

Hedging language words in themselves are not bad words. The problem occurs
when we overuse them or use them to manipulate. Hedging language makes you
look uncertain, unconfident, and sometimes even untrustworthy. Some people use
hedging to hide their true intent, so we become suspicious if we hear people using
a lot of hedging language.

Removing the hedging words/phrases will make your writing stronger. For
example:

Hedged: I think we can do that by the deadline.

Un-hedged: We can do that by the deadline.

The second example sounds far more confident!

When to Avoid Hedging Language in Blog Posts

Be careful when using hedging language in blog posts. When you introduce
uncertainty into your writing, you reduce the likelihood of the reader trusting and
engaging with your content. Clear, confident writing will reassure them of the
validity and accuracy of what you’re saying.

By cutting out such language, you will make your writing more concise and easier
to digest – ensuring you get your message across and keep the reader’s attention
for as long as possible!

And it’s not just your reader you need to think about! Search engines favor content
that demonstrates experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (or
E-E-A-T). If you use a lot of hedging language, you could negatively impact your
search rankings, and, therefore, your (or your clients) marketing efforts. So, it’s a
good idea to look at your writing and check for the words mentioned above. Think
about how you can strengthen your writing by removing these words orOur rephrasing
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the sentence.

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Becoming a Freelance Writer

Do you want to pursue a career in writing but don’t know where to start? Our
Becoming a Freelance Writer course teaches you everything you need to know
about writing professional blog posts and articles, including how to avoid hedging,
overuse of jargon, and ambiguity. Try it for free today!

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Readers (and Why It’s Writing Blog Post (a Step-by- Friendly Blog Posts
Important) Step Guide)

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