Hedging

UK //ˈhɛdʒɪŋ//US //ˈhɛdʒɪŋ//

Definition

Making statements less definite to avoid commitment or assertiveness.

In simple words: Making statements less definite or certain.

Examples

She added a few qualifiers, hedging her statement about the project's success.
His comments were careful, hedging against potential criticism.
Politicians often use hedging language to appeal to different audiences.
In academic writing, it's common to see hedging in the form of cautious language.
She was hedging her bets by expressing uncertainty about her opinion.

Usage notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts. Common in academic writing and conversations to soften statements. Avoid overusing in definitive arguments.

Grammar pattern

hedge + object

Memory hint

Think of 'hedge' as protecting your ideas like a fence protects a garden.

Collocations

hedging strategies
hedging language
hedging techniques
hedging responses
hedging statements

Synonyms

buffering
slanting
qualifying
indirectness
avoiding

Common mistakes

Confused with 'hedging' in finance; they are different contexts.
Used too frequently, making communication unclear.
Misunderstanding the purpose, using it instead of clear statements.