Grammar: 🌐 Grammar in Specialized Contexts - Application (C1) - Lesson 2: Using Hedging & Boosting language effectively in academic texts

🌐 C1 Lesson 2: Using Hedging & Boosting Language

In advanced academic and professional writing, how you state a claim is as important as the claim itself. A masterful writer controls the level of certainty in their language. Today, we will learn two opposing but equally important techniques: hedging¹ (to express caution) and boosting² (to express confidence).

Hedging: The Language of Caution and Possibility

Hedging is the use of cautious language to show that you are not 100% certain about a claim. This is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of a careful, critical thinker who understands that few things are absolute. It is essential when interpreting data or discussing theories.

The Hedging Toolkit

• Modal Verbs: may, might, could → "Increased tourism could lead to environmental strain."
• Cautious Verbs: suggest, indicate, seem, appear, tend to → "The evidence suggests a link between..."
• Adverbs of Probability: probably, likely, possibly, perhaps → "This is likely a significant factor."
• Adjectives: a possible reason, a potential issue → "One possible explanation is..."

Boosting: The Language of Confidence and Certainty

Boosting is the opposite of hedging. You use booster words to show confidence in your statement, to assert³ a point strongly, or to state a widely accepted fact.

The Boosting Toolkit

• Strong Verbs: demonstrate, prove, establish, show clearly → "The research clearly demonstrates the need for action."
• Adverbs of Certainty: certainly, undoubtedly, clearly, obviously → "This was undoubtedly a major turning point in the history of the Khmer Empire."
• Adjectives: a clear example, a significant factor → "The construction of Angkor Wat was a significant achievement."
• Modals of Certainty: must, will → "There must be a reason for this."

When to Hedge vs. When to Boost
Hedge when you are discussing findings, interpreting results, or talking about other people's research. Your conclusion should not be stronger than your evidence.
Boost when you are stating widely accepted facts, describing your own methodology, or presenting your main thesis statement with confidence.

🧠 Practice Quiz: Hedge or Boost?

Choose the word or phrase that best fits the academic context.

1. "The data is not fully conclusive⁴, but it _______ that there is a positive correlation." (proves / suggests)
   Answer: suggests (This is hedging, appropriate for data that is not fully conclusive.)
2. "It is _______ that the preservation of Angkor Wat is vital for Cambodia's tourism industry." (possible / undeniable)
   Answer: undeniable (This is a widely accepted fact, so a booster is appropriate.)
3. "This single study does not prove the theory, but it is _______ a step in the right direction." (certainly / possibly)
   Answer: certainly (This boosts the importance of the single step, while the first clause hedges the overall theory.)
4. Which sentence is a better example of academic hedging?
   a) Climate change caused the decline of the civilization.
   b) Climate change may have been a contributing factor in the decline of the civilization.
   Answer: b. It uses modal verbs ('may have') and cautious phrasing ('contributing factor').

📝 Homework: Adjust the Certainty

For each neutral statement, rewrite it twice: once with hedging language and once with boosting language.

1. Neutral Statement: The new law will have an effect on the economy.
   Hedged: _________________________
   Boosted: _________________________
   (Example Answers)
   Hedged: The new law could have a significant effect on the economy.
   Boosted: The new law will undoubtedly have a major effect on the economy.
2. Neutral Statement: The research shows a link between diet and health.
   Hedged: _________________________
   Boosted: _________________________
   (Example Answers)
   Hedged: The research seems to indicate a possible link between diet and health.
   Boosted: The research clearly demonstrates a conclusive link between diet and health.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Hedging: (Noun) - ភាសាបែបប្រយ័ត្នប្រយែង (phéa'saa baep prâ'yăt'prâ'yaeng) - The use of cautious or vague language to make claims that are not absolute. ↩
2. Boosting: (Noun) - ភាសាបែបបញ្ជាក់ (phéa'saa baep bânh'cheăk) - The use of confident language to assert a claim strongly. ↩
3. Assert: (Verb) - អះអាង (ah'ang) - To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully. ↩
4. Conclusive: (Adjective) - ដែលអាចសន្និដ្ឋានបាន (dael aach sân'nĭ'tʰaan'baan) - Proving something, and leaving no doubt or question. ↩
5. Methodology: (Noun) - វិធីសាស្រ្ត (vĭ'thii'sas) - A system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity. ↩