In 15 Seconds
- A professional way to say 'I'm not sure yet.'
- Used to suggest more investigation is needed.
- Common in academic, medical, and business reports.
Meaning
This phrase is a polite and professional way to say you aren't 100% sure yet. It suggests that while you have some information, you need to look into things more deeply before making a final conclusion.
Key Examples
3 of 6Writing a university essay
The results are promising, but additional research may be needed to confirm the trend.
The results are promising, but more study might be needed.
In a business meeting about a new product
Additional research may reveal a better target demographic for this app.
More research might show us a better group of people to sell to.
Texting a friend about a health supplement
I read it works, but additional research may be required before I buy it.
I read it works, but I should check more before buying.
Cultural Background
In the US, this phrase is often used to avoid 'Analysis Paralysis.' While it sounds professional, if a manager says it too often, they might be seen as indecisive. It's a balance between being thorough and being fast. The British use this as a form of 'understatement.' It might be a polite way of saying the current research is actually quite bad, but they don't want to be too direct. In Japan, this phrase is a vital tool for 'Kuuki wo yomu' (reading the air). It allows someone to disagree with a superior without saying 'No' directly, which would be culturally inappropriate. In Germany, this phrase is taken very literally. If a German professional says this, they usually have a specific list of what needs to be researched and why. It is not just a polite hedge.
The 'Passive' Power
Always use 'be required' or 'be necessary' after 'may' to sound like a true expert. It removes the 'I' and makes you sound objective.
Don't Over-Hedge
If you use this phrase for every single question, people will think you never know anything. Use it only for truly complex topics.
In 15 Seconds
- A professional way to say 'I'm not sure yet.'
- Used to suggest more investigation is needed.
- Common in academic, medical, and business reports.
What It Means
Think of this as the ultimate 'safety net' phrase. It tells people you have some info, but not everything. You are being careful with your words. It suggests that the story isn't over yet. Imagine you find a weird bug in your garden. You think it's a beetle, but you aren't sure. You say, additional research may be needed here. It sounds much fancier than just saying 'I don't know.' It shows you are thinking critically about the situation.
How To Use It
You usually put this at the end of a report or a discussion. It often pairs with words like be required, reveal, or be necessary. You can use it to pause a big decision effectively. 'We like this plan, but additional research may be wise.' It makes you look like a thorough professional. Don't overthink the grammar; it's a standard block of text. Just drop it in when you need a bit of intellectual mystery. It helps you avoid making promises you can't keep.
When To Use It
Use it in any formal writing or high-stakes speech. It is perfect for university essays or big business meetings. Use it when you want to avoid being blamed for a mistake later. If things go wrong, you can say you warned them! It's also great for serious personal topics. Maybe you are looking into a new medical treatment or a big investment. It shows your friends you are taking the matter seriously. It adds a layer of authority to your cautiousness.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase during a romantic proposal or a first date. 'I love you, but additional research may be needed' is a bad idea. That is a one-way ticket to being single! Don't use it for simple, obvious facts either. 'The sun is hot, but additional research may confirm it' sounds silly. You will just sound robotic or like you're trying too hard. Keep it for things that are actually complex or uncertain. Using it for dinner choices might annoy your hungry friends.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking academia, we love the concept of 'hedging.' We rarely say something is 100% true forever. This phrase comes directly from the scientific method. It acknowledges that new data can change everything tomorrow. It reflects a culture that values evidence over personal ego. Being 'cautiously optimistic' is a big cultural value in the West. It’s about being humble in the face of facts.
Common Variations
You might hear further study is required in very formal papers. Or perhaps more data may be necessary in a tech environment. In casual talk, you'd just say 'I need to look into it.' Future investigations could is another high-level version used by researchers. They all mean the same thing: 'Wait for more info.' Each variation just changes the 'flavor' of your caution.
Usage Notes
This is a high-level (C1) expression primarily used in formal writing and professional speech. It functions as a 'hedge,' allowing the speaker to avoid absolute certainty.
The 'Passive' Power
Always use 'be required' or 'be necessary' after 'may' to sound like a true expert. It removes the 'I' and makes you sound objective.
Don't Over-Hedge
If you use this phrase for every single question, people will think you never know anything. Use it only for truly complex topics.
Polite Disagreement
Use this phrase to disagree with someone without saying 'You are wrong.' It shifts the blame to the 'lack of data' instead of the person.
Examples
6The results are promising, but additional research may be needed to confirm the trend.
The results are promising, but more study might be needed.
Classic academic use to show caution.
Additional research may reveal a better target demographic for this app.
More research might show us a better group of people to sell to.
Suggests a pivot might be needed later.
I read it works, but additional research may be required before I buy it.
I read it works, but I should check more before buying.
Using formal language to show you are being serious.
He seemed nice, but additional research may be needed on his fashion sense.
He was okay, but I need to check if his clothes are always that bad.
Using formal language for a trivial topic creates humor.
Additional research may be necessary to find all the legal documents.
We might need to look more to find the legal papers.
Used to handle a sensitive, serious topic with care.
The hotel looks great, but additional research may show it's too far from the beach.
The hotel looks good, but more checking might show it's far away.
Practical use for everyday decision-making.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence using the correct form of the phrase.
The initial results are promising, but additional research _______ be required to confirm them.
We use the modal 'may' followed by the bare infinitive 'be'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal academic paper?
Choose the best option:
'Warranted' and 'additional research may' are hallmarks of formal academic register.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
A: 'Do you think the new marketing strategy will work?' B: 'It's hard to say right now. _________________.'
This is the most professional way to express uncertainty in a business context.
Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.
Which phrase fits a police report about an ongoing case?
'Pending further investigation' is the standard legal/police variation of 'additional research may be required.'
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe initial results are promising, but additional research _______ be required to confirm them.
We use the modal 'may' followed by the bare infinitive 'be'.
Choose the best option:
'Warranted' and 'additional research may' are hallmarks of formal academic register.
A: 'Do you think the new marketing strategy will work?' B: 'It's hard to say right now. _________________.'
This is the most professional way to express uncertainty in a business context.
Which phrase fits a police report about an ongoing case?
'Pending further investigation' is the standard legal/police variation of 'additional research may be required.'
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, they are almost identical. 'Further' is slightly more common in British English, while 'additional' is very common in American business contexts.
Yes, but 'may' is considered slightly more formal and is the standard in academic writing.
No! In a professional context, it means you are being careful and don't want to make a mistake based on bad data.
Don't use it with friends or family for simple things. 'Additional research may be required to see if we have milk' sounds like a joke.
The most common verbs are 'be required,' 'be necessary,' 'be warranted,' and 'reveal.'
Related Phrases
Further study is warranted
synonymMore research is deserved or justified.
Pending further data
similarWaiting for more information before a decision.
The jury is still out
informal equivalentA decision or conclusion has not been reached yet.
Inconclusive results
builds onThe results don't prove anything yet.
