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실용적인 예문으로 어휘를 늘리세요
Hedging means softening a statement so it sounds less blunt or absolute. Instead of 'You're wrong', a skilled speaker says 'I would tend to think the answer lies elsewhere.'
Phrases like 'It seems to me', 'It might be argued' and 'I'm inclined to believe' add caution and politeness, which is especially valued in academic and professional English.
예문
I would tend to think the answer lies elsewhere.
'tend to think' softens a firm opinion.
It might be argued that the data is incomplete.
Impersonal hedge avoids stating it as fact.
It seems to me that we need more time.
'It seems to me' = a gentle opinion.
I would tend to think
/aɪ wʊd tend tə θɪŋk/
I would tend to think the answer lies elsewhere.
It might be argued
/ɪt maɪt biː ˈɑːrɡjuːd/
It might be argued that the data is incomplete.
It seems to me
/ɪt siːmz tə miː/
It seems to me that we need more time.
I'm inclined to believe
/aɪm ɪnˈklaɪnd tə bɪˈliːv/
I'm inclined to believe she's right.
Which is the most softened (hedged) opinion?
Soften the claim: It might be ___ that the data is incomplete. (argued)
To disagree without causing offence, English speakers cushion the disagreement: 'I'm afraid I don't quite see it that way', 'I see your point, but...', 'With respect, ...'.
These phrases acknowledge the other person before introducing a different view, keeping the conversation cooperative.
예문
I'm afraid I don't quite see it that way.
'I'm afraid' + 'quite' softens the disagreement.
I see your point, but I'd argue the opposite.
Acknowledge first, then disagree.
With respect, I think there's another factor.
'With respect' precedes a polite challenge.
I'm afraid I don't quite
/aɪm əˈfreɪd aɪ doʊnt kwaɪt/
I'm afraid I don't quite see it that way.
I see your point but
/aɪ siː jɔːr pɔɪnt bʌt/
I see your point, but I'd argue the opposite.
with respect
/wɪð rɪˈspekt/
With respect, I think there's another factor.
Which is the most polite way to disagree?
Soften strong disagreement: I'm afraid I don't ___ see it that way. (quite)
Sometimes being deliberately vague is more polite or natural than being precise. Phrases like 'kind of', 'sort of', 'more or less' and 'to some extent' avoid sounding too definite.
In conversation this signals openness and avoids overcommitting: 'The project is more or less finished.'
예문
It's kind of complicated to explain.
'kind of' softens directness.
The project is more or less finished.
'more or less' = approximately.
I agree to some extent.
'to some extent' = partly, not fully.
kind of
/kaɪnd əv/
It's kind of complicated to explain.
sort of
/sɔːrt əv/
I'm sort of unsure about this decision.
more or less
/mɔːr ɔːr les/
The project is more or less finished.
to some extent
/tə sʌm ɪkˈstent/
I agree to some extent.
Which phrase means 'partly, not completely'?
Approximate: The project is ___ or less finished.
For very polite requests, English uses indirect structures: 'I was wondering if you could...', 'Would you mind...', 'If it's not too much trouble...'.
The more indirect and tentative the wording, the more polite it sounds. 'Would you mind' is followed by an -ing form: 'Would you mind closing the door?'
예문
I was wondering if you could help me with this.
Past continuous makes it extra polite.
Would you mind closing the door?
'Would you mind' + -ing form.
If it's not too much trouble, could you call back?
Softening phrase + polite request.
I was wondering if
/aɪ wəz ˈwʌndərɪŋ ɪf/
I was wondering if you could help me with this.
Would you mind
/wʊd juː maɪnd/
Would you mind closing the door?
If it's not too much trouble
/ɪf ɪts nɒt tuː mʌtʃ ˈtrʌbəl/
If it's not too much trouble, could you call back?
Choose the correct form: Would you mind ___ the door?
Very polite opener: I was ___ if you could help me with this. (wondering)
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