Qualifying a statement

Writing Tip When presenting an argument or a claim, it is important that the reader understands clearly the particular way in which you think it is true. Avoid making empty generalisations that lead to unanswered questions. Ways of qualifying a statement 1 By using phrases that show there are or were other reasons for an outcome Read this sentence from a health report: Health improvements resulted from lifestyle changes. Here are two versions of the same sentence, showing that lifestyle changes were not the only reason for health improvements: To some extent, health improvements resulted from lifestyle changes. Health improvements resulted to a/some degree from lifestyle changes. 2 By using phrases that explain in what way something is true Lifestyle changes led to health improvements, in the sense that they made people less susceptible to minor ailments. To the extent that they made people less susceptible to minor ailments, lifestyle changes led to improvements. In that they alleviated some of the symptoms of the illness, lifestyle changes were effective. Lifestyle changes were effective, insofar as they alleviated some of the symptoms of the illness.