Hedging — epistemic modality

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

What seems to make the mycorrhizal system remarkable is not its speed but its selectivity.

Grammar Reference · Hedging — epistemic modality

Modal verb hedges

Use may, might, could, would appear to to signal uncertainty. This might constitute communication. Avoids overclaiming.

Adverb softeners

Possibly, apparently, arguably, admittedly qualify a claim mid-sentence. False news spreads faster — possibly because novelty rewards the system.

Passive reporting

Distance yourself from a claim using passive + reporting verb. The research has been described as transformative. You are not endorsing the description.

Common error

The data proves that X is true. ✗ → The data suggests that X may be true. ✓ — 'proves' claims too much in most academic contexts.

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Hedging — epistemic modality

1.The fungal network share carbon between unrelated trees.

2.Simard's conclusions by some ecologists as overstated.

3.Novelty, , explains why false stories spread faster than corrections.

4.It that hub nodes carry disproportionate weight in both forests and social networks.

5.The comparison is useful , but it breaks down when you consider intentionality.

6.The signals trees send chemical rather than electrical, which limits their speed.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.The tree sends a warning to every tree nearby.

2.Social media causes misinformation to spread.

3.Hub accounts control what goes viral.

4.False stories are more entertaining than true ones.

5.The mycorrhizal network is a form of communication.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

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