Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
The idea
Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Structure & examples
The results appear to indicate a longer-term trend.
The change may have affected attendance.
Notice the pattern
Hedging calibrates a claim to the strength of the evidence. Appears to and seems to signal an interpretation; may marks possibility; is likely to expresses probability. A perfect infinitive can distance a claim about the past. Do not turn tentative evidence into certainty merely by removing these expressions.
The evidence appears to support the claim.
There may be another explanation.
Important notes & common mistakes
Hedging changes the strength of a claim; avoid presenting possibility as proof.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
There ___ to be a discrepancy.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: appears
Completed sentence: There appears to be a discrepancy. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
The change ___ participation.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: may have affected
Completed sentence: The change may have affected participation. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
The results are ___ to vary.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: likely
Completed sentence: The results are likely to vary. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
The policy ___ influenced behaviour.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: seems to have
Completed sentence: The policy seems to have influenced behaviour. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Question 1 of 50% complete
The results ___ indicate a longer-term trend.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: appear to
Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: appears
Completed sentence: There appears to be a discrepancy. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: may have affected
Completed sentence: The change may have affected participation. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: likely
Completed sentence: The results are likely to vary. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: seems to have
Completed sentence: The policy seems to have influenced behaviour. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: appear
Completed sentence: Use appear: The data appear to support the claim. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: may explain
Completed sentence: Use may with explain: These factors may explain the difference. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: seems to be
Completed sentence: Use seem with be: The approach seems to be effective. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: likely
Completed sentence: Use likely: The outcome is likely to depend on funding. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: suggest
Completed sentence: Use suggest: The findings suggest a possible link, rather than proving one. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The change may have affected attendance
Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty. Hedging changes the strength of a claim; avoid presenting possibility as proof.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The evidence appears to support the claim
The evidence appears to support the claim. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty. Hedging changes the strength of a claim; avoid presenting possibility as proof.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: There may be another explanation
There may be another explanation. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty. Hedging changes the strength of a claim; avoid presenting possibility as proof.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The change seems to have helped
The change seems to have helped. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty. Hedging changes the strength of a claim; avoid presenting possibility as proof.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The outcome is likely to vary
The outcome is likely to vary. Use tentative language such as appears to, may and is likely to when evidence does not justify certainty. Hedging changes the strength of a claim; avoid presenting possibility as proof.
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