after some dithering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after some dithering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone hesitates or takes time to make a decision before finally taking action. Example: "After some dithering, she finally decided to accept the job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

After some dithering — should I start with small talk or get right down to the business of the whipping and the watch?

The New Yorker

After some dithering, the mission went ahead.

The Guardian

So after some dithering, he left the choice to his pianist, Jeb Patton, who picked "I Remember You".

The New York Times - Arts

After some dithering, McFarland reluctantly signed the form put in front of him and later confessed to Clough that it was a decision he immediately regretted.

The Guardian - Sport

And after some dithering, it is co-operating with the alliance's military operations in Libya.Yet Turkey is understandably wary of openly confronting Iran, one of its main sources of natural gas and the primary transit route for Turkish exports to Central Asia.

The Economist

Even Facebook removed a bunch of Jones' videos late last month, for violating its community standards — albeit after some dithering, and what looked like a lot of internal confusion.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

AFTER dithering for decades, ministers have finally agreed what to do about London's airports.

The Economist

AFTER years of dithering, America is set for patent reform.

The Economist

Patrick, explaining his decision to date his boss, Kevin, who's left his partner after dithering for some time: "The last time someone stood on my stoop, they told me I wasn't ready.

The New Yorker

After some diplomatic dithering, which misled Russia into believing that it could continue its aggression against the Ottomans without consequences, Britain and France declared war in March 1854.

The Economist

He was partner in an administration that moved the Democrats to the tenable center, advanced free trade, defanged the socially divisive issue of welfare, left us budget surpluses without the need for a lot of funny bookkeeping, and -- after some early dithering -- settled on a policy of responsible engagement in the world that ought to have been a source of national pride.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after some dithering" to subtly imply a period of hesitation or indecision without explicitly stating the reasons for the delay. This can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "after some dithering" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and detract from the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after some dithering" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the time or circumstances surrounding an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and generally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after some dithering" effectively conveys a period of hesitation or indecision before a decision or action is taken. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. The phrase functions as a prepositional phrase, adding context to a statement, and its meaning is generally clear. While many alternatives exist, such as "after a bit of hesitation" or "following a period of indecision", each carries slightly different nuances. While "after some dithering" is useful to imply nuance, it is best used sparingly to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after a bit of hesitation

This alternative uses a more common synonym for dithering and is slightly less formal.

following some hesitation

Similar to 'after a bit of hesitation', but slightly more formal due to the use of 'following'.

following a period of indecision

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the indecisiveness.

after a spell of indecision

Replaces 'dithering' with 'indecision' and uses 'spell' to indicate a limited duration.

after a moment of wavering

This alternative focuses on the instability and uncertainty of the decision-making process.

once the initial hesitation passed

This alternative emphasizes the completion of the hesitation period.

after some procrastination

This alternative suggests a deliberate delay or avoidance of the decision.

after a delay

This is a simpler and more general way to express the idea of taking some time before acting.

following deliberation

This alternative is very formal and implies a careful and considered decision-making process.

after considering the matter for a while

This alternative is more explicit about the thought process involved during the delay.

FAQs

How can I use "after some dithering" in a sentence?

You can use "after some dithering" to describe a situation where someone hesitates before making a decision. For example, "After some dithering, she decided to accept the job offer."

What can I say instead of "after some dithering"?

You can use alternatives like "after a bit of hesitation", "following some hesitation", or "following a period of indecision" depending on the context.

Is "after some dithering" formal or informal?

"After some dithering" sits in a neutral register, suitable for news articles and general writing. More formal alternatives include "following deliberation" while more informal options could be "after hemming and hawing".

What does "dithering" imply in the phrase "after some dithering"?

"Dithering" implies a hesitant or indecisive manner, suggesting that the person or entity took some time to weigh options or overcome uncertainty before acting. It suggests a lack of decisiveness.