Table 2.

Description of tone categories

CategoryDescription
Positive (P)Includes words such as achieve, attain, efficient, improve, profitable, or upturn that is unilateral in potential tone. Care was taken not to include positive words that cannot be easily overturned
Negative (N)Words with direct negative meaning, examples include restated, discontinued, penalties, misstatement, misconduct, etc
Weak modal (WM)Expressing level of confidence, thus words indicating a lack of confidence. E.g., could, depending, might, possibly, etc
Strong modal (SM)Expressing level of confidence, thus words indicating confidence and necessity. E.g., always, highest, must, will, etc
Constraining (C)Words qualifying and limiting, such as depending, directive, forbid, encumber, limit, etc
Uncertainty (U)Words denoting uncertainty, with emphasis on the general notion of imprecision rather than exclusively focusing on risk
Litigious (L)Words reflecting a propensity for legal contest or litigiousness or reflecting a litigious environment

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal