Modals and hedging
May, might, could, tend to — make careful, academic claims instead of absolute ones.
Why it matters
Overgeneralising ('Everyone uses phones') weakens Task Response because the claim is easy to dispute. Hedging shows precision and maturity of argument, and the modal verbs involved add grammatical range.
The rules
Modals of possibility: may, might, could.
Longer school days may reduce family time.
Tendency verbs: tend to, is likely to, appears to.
Older people tend to prefer face-to-face services.
Quantifiers that limit scope: many, some, a significant proportion of.
Many young people, though not all, use social media daily.
Modals of obligation and advice for recommendations: should, ought to, must.
Governments should subsidise public transport.
Model sentences
- This trend could be explained by the falling cost of air travel.
- Children who read regularly are likely to develop a wider vocabulary.
- It would seem that financial incentives alone are not enough to change behaviour.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: All teenagers are addicted to their phones.
Correct: Many teenagers appear to spend excessive time on their phones.
Absolute claims are easy to disprove.
Incorrect: It can be maybe true.
Correct: It may well be true.
Don't stack hedges.
Incorrect: Government must to act.
Correct: The government must act.
No 'to' after modals.
Band tip
Check yourself
Hedge: 'Video games cause violence.'
Violent video games may contribute to aggressive behaviour in some players.
Hedge: 'Rich countries waste more food.'
Wealthier countries tend to waste more food per person.
Fix: 'People should to recycle more.'
People should recycle more.