Good academic writers are careful. They do not say a thing is 100% true when there is a small doubt. They soften the claim. Look at the same idea, said two ways:

A soft word like "suggest" or "may" is called a hedge. To hedge means to soften a claim so it is not too strong. You will see this word again below. The rule of this whole lesson is simple: use enough caution — not too little, not too much. In a short claim, one or two careful signals are usually enough.

Pick your word to match how sure you are. These all fit: "These storms ___ be caused by climate change."

In many parts of a paper, especially when explaining results, the left side is safer. Strong claims need strong proof.

"These results ______ that there is a link between sleep and memory."

"We only had a small sample, so this difference ______ be due to chance."

"______, students who sleep well do better in exams." (you mean: this is the usual pattern, not every single student)

"It is ______ that early humans first used fire around one million years ago." (you are reporting a common view, not your own proof)

All three report the same finding from one small study. Drag them so the most careful one is at the top.

Three research claims, each written three ways. For each one, tap the version that is careful and right — not too strong, not too soft. You will see at once if it is the best choice.

Keep practising away from the screen — download this module’s worksheet as a printable PDF.