In the sentence 'The data suggest a modest improvement,' which term signals hedging?

In the sentence 'The data suggest a modest improvement,' which term signals hedging?

• A. Significant
• B. Demonstrates
• C. Proves
• D. Modest and suggests

Answer: (D)

Hedging in academic language means using words that soften certainty and show the evidence is not conclusive. In this sentence, hedging comes from pairing a cautious qualifier with a tentative verb: “modest” and “suggests.” “Modest” limits the size of the improvement, while “suggests” signals that the data point toward an outcome rather than proving it. Together, they communicate a careful, non-definitive claim. The other options would push the statement toward greater certainty—using a word like “significant” strengthens the claim, and verbs like “demonstrates” or “proves” imply strong, conclusive evidence.

Hedging in academic language means using words that soften certainty and show the evidence is not conclusive. In this sentence, hedging comes from pairing a cautious qualifier with a tentative verb: “modest” and “suggests.” “Modest” limits the size of the improvement, while “suggests” signals that the data point toward an outcome rather than proving it. Together, they communicate a careful, non-definitive claim. The other options would push the statement toward greater certainty—using a word like “significant” strengthens the claim, and verbs like “demonstrates” or “proves” imply strong, conclusive evidence.