Weasel words
“Studies show.” “Up to 40% faster.” “As soon as possible.” Vague claims that sound solid until someone asks a follow-up question.
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Weasel words list, with the fix
| Weasel word | Replace with |
|---|---|
| some people say | Name who says it |
| many people | Give a number or name the group |
| experts agree | Name the expert or source |
| studies show | Cite the study |
| it is said | Say who said it |
| it is believed | Say who believes it |
| arguably | Make the argument, or drop the claim |
| virtually | State the actual share |
| up to | Give the typical figure, not the maximum |
| significantly | Give the size of the change |
| substantially | Give the size of the change |
| relatively | Relative to what? |
| fairly | Vague degree word |
| somewhat | Vague degree word |
| might | Commit, or state the condition |
| perhaps | Commit, or state the condition |
| possibly | Commit, or state the condition |
| probably | Give your confidence or a date |
| hopefully | Say what you will do |
| as soon as possible | Give a date and time |
| in the near future | Give a date |
| a number of | Give the number |
| various | Name them or give the count |
| in some cases | Say which cases |
| to some extent | Say to what extent |
| tends to | Say how often |
Three kinds of weasel
- Vague sources: “experts say”, “research shows”. Fix: name the source.
- Slippery numbers: “up to”, “as much as”, “significantly”. Fix: give the typical figure and the base.
- Soft commitments: “ASAP”, “soon”, “hopefully”, “probably”. Fix: a date, an owner, or a stated condition.
Questions people ask
What are weasel words?
Weasel words are vague words and phrases that create an impression of a claim or commitment without actually making one: “studies show”, “many experts agree”, “up to 50% faster”, “significantly”, “as soon as possible”. The term was popularised by Theodore Roosevelt in a 1916 speech, and Wikipedia’s style guide lists them as words to avoid.
Why are weasel words a problem in business writing?
They leave the reader unable to act or check. “We’ll deliver soon” gives nothing to plan around; “We’ll deliver on 14 March” does. In proposals and reports they also erode trust: careful readers notice unsupported claims.
How do I fix weasel words?
Replace each one with the specific fact behind it: name the source, give the number, state the date, or say what you will do. If there is no specific fact, the claim may not belong in the document.
Is “might” always a weasel word?
No. Genuine uncertainty should be stated. “The vendor might raise prices in Q3; we’ll know on 1 July” is honest. The problem is hedging out of habit when you actually know the answer.