Hedging in Academic Estonian
Näib, et tulemus sõltub valimist means it seems that the result depends on the sample. Hedging shows how sure the writer is.
How It Works
Good academic writing says how certain each claim is. Estonian has several tools for this.
Seem: näima, paistma, tunduma
- With an et-clause: Näib, et tulemus sõltub valimist.
- With the -vat form, not the ma-infinitive: Tulemused näivad kinnitavat hüpoteesi. Mõju paistab olevat väike.
Assume and suggest
- võib oletada / võib arvata, et... (it can be assumed that...)
- on alust arvata, et... (there is reason to think that...)
- andmed viitavad sellele, et... / osutavad sellele, et... (the data suggest that...)
Adverbs and phrases, from more to less sure: ilmselt, tõenäoliselt, arvatavasti, võimalik, et...
The conditional softens a statement further: Võiks öelda, et... Oleks ennatlik väita, et probleem on lahendatud.
Do not stack too many hedges in one sentence. One well-chosen word is usually enough.
Examples (6)
- Näib, et tulemus sõltub valimist.
It seems that the result depends on the sample.
- Tulemused näivad kinnitavat hüpoteesi.
The results seem to confirm the hypothesis.
- Võib oletada, et põhjus on majanduslik.
It can be assumed that the cause is economic.
- Andmed viitavad sellele, et muutus oli ajutine.
The data suggest that the change was temporary.
- Tõenäoliselt mõjutas tulemust ka ilm.
The weather probably also affected the result.
- Siiski oleks ennatlik väita, et probleem on lahendatud.
However, it would be premature to claim that the problem has been solved.
Common Mistakes
Using the ma-infinitive after näima or paistma.
Tulemused näivad kinnitama hüpoteesi.Tulemused näivad kinnitavat hüpoteesi.näima and paistma take the -vat form (kinnitavat, olevat) or an et-clause, not the ma-infinitive.
Leaving out the comma before et.
Võib oletada et põhjus on majanduslik.Võib oletada, et põhjus on majanduslik.An et-clause is always separated from the main clause by a comma.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Hedging uses certainty adverbs and seem-verbs.
- How Sure You Are
tõenäoliselt is a certainty adverb.
Level 5 - tundumaSeeming (Tunduma)
näib and paistab work like tundub.
Level 3 - Reported Mood (-vat)
Recognize the -vat form reused after näima and paistma; in this construction it is a complement, not a claim of hearsay.
Level 4 - Polite Requests
Recognize how conditional forms such as võiks and oleks soften a statement.
Level 3
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Hedging in Academic Estonian in Bubblegum
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