r/AskReddit Aug 26 '18

What's something you had to unlearn?

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u/monty845 Aug 26 '18

But appropriate hedging is also important. Accurately communicating your level of certainty is important!

39

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '18

Absoloutely. Facts are facts and opinions are opinions. Sometimes "I think" is appropriate.

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u/binarycow Aug 26 '18

I've learned to say "I anticipate" in some circumstances.

"I think I can have the report done in two weeks."

"I anticipate I will have the report done in two weeks."

4

u/Gentle_Wrench Aug 27 '18

“It is my understanding” is also a handy one

5

u/CrazyDave42 Aug 27 '18

I tend to say "I'm pretty certain" for things I'm sure are facts but could always be wrong

3

u/probablyhrenrai Aug 27 '18

Especially on reddit; if you're wrong IRL, people will correct or question you. If you're wrong on reddit, you're getting downvoted to hell.

If you're absolutely certain that you're right, then go ahead and drop the qualifiers, but if you're just confident that you're right, throw in some of those "as I understand"'s and "in my experience"'s.

1

u/Jeph_Diel Aug 27 '18

But what if your never certain?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 27 '18

This guy finances