Name ___________________________________

Discussion Hedging Words

a. Examine these pairs of sentences for hedging. In each pair, identify the sentence with
hedging and without hedging. What words and phrases led you to your decisions?
1. (With hedging) The lack of lacZ induction in the case of chromium oxalate is possibly
due to the inability of that compound to enter the bacterial cells.
The lack of lacZ induction in the case of chromium oxalate is due to the inability of that
compound to enter the bacterial cells.
2. The thermal stability of the metal-containing DNA oligonucleotides proves that the
incorporation of 9 into DNA oligonucleotides causes no destabilization of the duplex.
(With hedging) The thermal stability of the metal-containing DNA oligonucleotides
suggests that the incorporation of 9 into DNA oligonucleotides causes little or no
destabilization of the duplex.
b. Consider the passages below. Find words that indicate that the authors are hedging, rather
than offering proof.
1. Our results suggest that Cr3+ has an impact on DNA, DNA topology, and consequently
processes leading to cell growth and proliferation. This could ultimately lead to the
mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of Cr3+. Because it is known that humans exposed
to different Cr3+ species accumulate high levels of Cr3+ intracellularly (17), presented
results may have an impact on human intake of Cr3+ as a nutrition additive.
2. A possible explanation for this effect can be attributed to an increased density and
viscosity of the milk-NaOH phase when NaOH concentration increases.
3. In all cases, this factor has a positive effect and it appears to be of increasing importance
as the degree of chlorination of the PCBs increases.
4. For the highly chlorinated PCBs, the two fibers tested seem to have similar performance,
and this factor lacks statistical significance.
5. The results presented here suggest a new mechanism of toxicity for PM2.5 based on
sustained hydroxyl radical generation by the semiquinone radicals present in PM2.5.
Because a substantial fraction of the fine particles in the atmosphere arise from
combustion sources (9), it is possible that the deleterious health effects associated with
PM2.5 can be at least partially ascribed to radicals associated with combustion-generated
particulate matter.
6. By using zinc salts as catalysts, we showed that water can be used as the solvent despite
the relative insolubility of the starting materials. This discovery should facilitate the
preparation of tetrazoles in the laboratory.

c. Read these passages and identify words and phrases that reveal the authors attempts to
hedge.
1. Firm conclusions cannot be drawn because the concentrations of these compounds
were not determined in the broccoli used in this experiment and because a direct
comparison of high-Se garlic and high-Se broccoli was not made.
2. The immediate goal of fully characterizing the parent Hg2+-responsive fluorescent
chemosensor is expected to be complete within 6 months. The synthesis and
complete characterization of the proposed fluorophores are anticipated to take 6
months.
3. In particular, we intend to systematically and quantitatively determine the origins of
interfacial polarity at solid-liquid interfaces as well as identify how surface induced polar
ordering affects dynamic properties of interfacial environments.
4. In general, UXAS opens a new spectroscopic window for the direct ultrafast timeresolved observation of molecular motions during chemical reactions.
d. Rewrite these passages with hedging words to communicate more caution and tentativeness.
Consult Table A1 (p. 591 in the text) as needed.
1. The fluorescence lifetime measurement of the diol/carbonate pair is expected to will be
complete in approximately 2 months.
2. Se-enriched broccoli was not more effective (Table 1) than enriched garlic (3) in reducing
the number of tumors; this finding suggestsproves that the combination of sulforaphane,
indole carbinol, and chlorophyll with Se did not provide additional protection against
mammary tumors.
3. Because it is known that humans exposed to different Cr3+ species accumulate high levels
of Cr3+ intracellularly (17), results maywill affect human intake of Cr3+ as a nutrition
additive.

e. All hedges have been removed from the paragraph below. Rewrite this paragraph so that it
better conforms to the conventions of a journal article. Remember that not all sentences may
require hedging. (Note that when you add hedging words, you may have to make other
minor changes in the sentence.)
Effects of WO on Anaerobic Biodegradability of Raw Waste. Figure 1 shows the effect of
the composition of a waste stream (Figure 1A) as well as the effect of the applied wet oxidation
conditions (Figure 1B) on the anaerobic biodegradability of raw and digested waste after
assessing wet oxidation. Although a doubling of the methane yield was achieved for wet
oxidation yard waste compared to the reference, a minor increase (7%) in methane yield was
observed when raw food waste was subjected to wet oxidation. This was due to inherent
differences in lignocellulose composition and characteristics of the lignin fraction of both wastes.
Although it was previously shown that both wastes have a similar lignin content (21-22 g/100 g)
and also rather similar cellulose and hemicellulose content (Table 2) (18, 19), the amount of
readily biodegradable and soluble organics in the food waste must be much higher than that in
the woody yard waste. Hence, the wet oxidation pretreatment leads to a substantial beneficial
effect on the biodegradability of the fibrous yard waste, although this was not the case for food
waste.

Effects of WO on Anaerobic Biodegradability of Raw Waste. Figure 1 shows the possible

effect of the composition of a waste stream (Figure 1A) as well as the effect of the applied wet
oxidation conditions (Figure 1B) on the anaerobic biodegradability of raw and digested waste
after oxidation yard waste compared to the reference, a minor increase (7%) in methane yield
was observed when raw food waster was subjected to wet oxidation. This may be due to inherent
differences in lignocellulose composition and characteristics of the lignin fraction of both wastes.
Although it was previously shown that both wastes have a similar lignin content (21-22 g/100 g)
and also rather similar cellulose and hemicellulose content (Table 2) (18, 19), the amount of
readily biodegradable and soluble organics in the food waste could potentially be much higher
than that in the woody yard waste. Hence, the wet oxidation pretreatment leads to a more
beneficial effect on the biodegradability of the fibrous yard waste, although this was not
observed for food waste.