We use certain types of expressions, called hedges, to show that we are concerned about following the maxims while being co-operative participants in conversation. Hedges can be defined as words or phrases used to indicate that we're not really sure that what we're saying is sufficiently complete. We can use sort of or kind of as hedges on the accuracy of our statements, as in descriptions such as His hair was kind of long or The book cover is sort of yellow(rather than It is yellow). These are examples of hedges on the Quality maxim. other examples would include the expressions listed below that people sometimes put at the beginning of their conversational contributions. As far as I know..., Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not absolutely sure, but We also take care to indicate that what we report is something we think or feel(not is possible or likely(not certain), and may or could(not must) happen. Hence the differ- ence between saying Jackson isguilty andIthink it's possible that Jackson may beguilty. In the first version, we will be assumed to have very good evidence for the statement.