Hedging is the use of cautious, indirect language to soften statements. It's essential in academic and professional writing where overstating is risky.
Modal hedge
This may suggest that... (not "this proves")
Reporting hedge
It has been argued that... (not "I think")
Frequency hedge
generally, often, tend to
Modal hedges
may / might
This may indicate a shift in policy.
could
The data could suggest...
would
One would expect to see this trend...
should
Results should not be over-interpreted.
Impersonal hedge structures
It is + adj + that
It is widely believed that...
It seems / appears
It seems that the policy has failed.
There is evidence to suggest
There is evidence to suggest that...
One could argue
One could argue that this is unsustainable.
Subject + tends to
Younger people tend to use social media more.
Hedging adverbs and adjectives
Adverbs of frequency
generally · typically · often · usually · normally
Adverbs of degree
relatively · fairly · somewhat · rather · quite
Adjectives of probability
likely · probable · possible · plausible · feasible
Approximation
approximately · roughly · about · around · in the region of