Hedging: not just a border in your garden

Let's talk about hedging, baby, let’s talk about perhaps, possibly, let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be. Okay, glad I got that out of my system. But do let's talk about hedging. Hedging, like passive voice, is a great little technique for managing people, softening claims, and covering your ass. And, like passive voice, it's unfairly maligned by society.

There's nothing morally or technically wrong with using hedges like indicates, seems like, appears to be, looks like, etc. in your writing. A well-placed hedge can protect you from other people's expectations and assumptions. The problem that we face with hedging language is when it's unintentional. Overuse, unconscious use, or non-strategic use of hedging can change the tone of your writing completely. Often, we use hedging language in a work context and it comes from a place of fear. But repeat use can make it easy to use hedges in your everyday writing too.

When to use a hedge

You don't know if what you're saying is true

No hedge: The sinkhole opened up at 8 am this morning.

Hedge: Apparently the sinkhole opened up at 8 am this morning.

A better hedge: A couple of news sites I looked at all said the same thing: the sinkhole opened up at 8 am this morning.

Tip: Be specific.

You're trying to accurately represent complex statistics

No hedge: Sinkholes are caused by leaving your mandarin skins on the arm of the couch.

Hedge: Some sinkholes are caused by leaving your mandarin skins on the arm of the couch.

Better hedge: According to data collected by my boyfriend, sinkholes are caused by leaving your mandarin skins on the arm of the couch.

Tip: Statistics are built on hedges, this is the best time to use them.

You're covering your ass

No hedge: I'll deliver the documents to you by 5 pm.

Hedge: I'll see if I can deliver the documents to you by 5 pm as long as the sinkhole doesn't suck in the office by then.

Better hedge: I'm aiming to get the documents to you by 5 pm.

Tip: Cover your ass without showing your ass - hedging doesn't make you weak, it makes you smart.

If not having a hedge will distract the audience.

No hedge: Every single sinkhole I've fallen into has been full of baked beans.

Hedge: Every single sinkhole I've fallen into, except maybe two or maybe even three, has been full of baked beans.

Better hedge: Nearly every single sinkhole I've fallen into has been full of baked beans.

Tip: A gentle hedge can keep the audience focused on the meaning of the sentence.

This is the best craiyon can do? Weaksauce.

There is one exception: just. Just is a hedge that distracts or weakens your tone. I use it so much and am trying to cut it out because I find it fugly. Open up your Slack, texts, or email and search “just”. See how many times you could replace it with a more specific word or cut it out entirely. Down with just.

TL;DR? Use hedges strategically when you don't know if what you're saying is true, you're trying to accurately represent complex statistics, you're covering your ass, or if not having a hedge will distract the audience. Try not to use '“just”.