UNIT 6 History
5. When using the passive, there are two options about what to do with the original subject (e.g., My parents in My parents gave me a birthday present.). You can either leave it out entirely (e.g., I was given a birthday present.) or you can use the by + agent structure after the verb (e.g., I was given a birthday present by my parents.).
Task 12: Reread the text in Part 3 and underline any additional examples of the passive voice that you can find.
Task 13: Read the following sentences and decide in each case whether the active or passive form is more appropriate.
a. A builder built the house in 1830. / The house was built in 1830. b. We’ll help you later on. / You will be helped later on by us. c. A repairman is repairing the road. / The road is being repaired. d. Finally, the government passed the laws. / Finally, the laws were passed. e. Cheesemakers make cheese throughout the UK. / Cheese is made throughout the UK.
Part 9: Understanding the language point Task 14: Read the following five points about using hedging language in academic writing.
1. Hedging language refers to words such as possibly, probably and so on, which express some kind of doubt or lack of certainty. This kind of language is common in academic writing, as often there is not absolute clarity about what is being discussed.
2. There are two types of verbs that are commonly used to hedge in academic writing. One type is ‘introductory verbs’, such as seem, tend to, assume, believe, indicate, suggest and appear to be. A second type is ‘modal verbs’, such as could, may, might and would followed by a main verb.
3. There are many so-called ‘modal’ adverbs, adjectives and nouns which can be used to show a lack of certainty. Some of the commonly used ones are: • Adverbs: possibly, probably, sometimes, often, generally, perhaps, usually, commonly, conceivably, largely, apparently • Adjectives: possible, probable, likely, (not) certain, (not) definite • Nouns: possibility, probability, likelihood, assumption, tendency, claim
4. Hedging language is often combined together in ‘compound hedges’. For example: It could be claimed that …; The data indicates that the probable outcome is …; Conceivably, the most likely explanation is …
5. When using hedging language, be careful not to make some of these common mistakes: a. Under-hedging Be careful about statements which are too strong and which cannot be justified. Unless you are 100% sure about something, or something is ‘common knowledge’, then hedging may well be required. Only use words like clearly, obviously, certainly, undoubtedly, absolutely, always, never, every and all if you are sure.
b. Over-hedging There is also the danger of over-hedging, that is, using hedging language when it is not necessary. You only need to use it where necessary. If it is appropriate, do not be afraid just to use the verb to be – as in the example here. You should be particularly careful not to add too many bits to compound hedges, such as those outlined above.
c. Unbalanced hedging Unbalanced hedging occurs when you have strong and weak forms placed next to each other. For example, do not combine a strong phrase like it is certainly true with a weak form like could.
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