after some vacillation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after some vacillation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has hesitated or wavered in their decision-making before arriving at a conclusion. Example: "After some vacillation, she finally decided to accept the job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

After some vacillation, I settled into an eager endorsement of Ben Lerner's novel "Leaving the Atocha Station".

The New Yorker

After some vacillation by the event's official Fifa commissioner, Jean-Marie Gantenbein of Luxembourg, it was determined that the match would start at its original time of 6.45pm.

The Guardian - Sport

After some vacillation, in November Russia declined to join NATO's Partnership for Peace program, a rude shock for the U.S., which had doggedly stood behind Yeltsin throughout the year (Pres. Bill Clinton had visited Moscow in January).

Encyclopedia Britannica

After some vacillation, he settled on psychology as his major.

Protein & Cell

After some vacillation, he eventually sided with the royalist Chetniks and became a Chetnik commander (vojvoda).

Wikipedia

Puccini saw Sardou's play when it was touring Italy in 1889 and, after some vacillation, obtained the rights to turn the work into an opera in 1895.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A conflict between two desired gratifications (approach-approach conflict), as when a youth has to choose between two attractive and practicable careers, may lead to some vacillation but rarely to great distress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the division of the late empire the city remained, with some vacillation, under the Exarchate of Ravenna until the 8th century when, rebelling against the Eastern emperors, Naples established a form of republican government that secured embattled independence for more than three centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(SMP, 86) {§6.3} Kant, under the influence of Newton, adopted, though with some vacillation, the hypothesis of absolute space, and this hypothesis, though logically unobjectionable, is removed by Occam's razor, since absolute space is an unnecessary entity in the explanation of the physical world.

SEP

After some hesitation, they agree.

The New Yorker

After some hesitation, she accepts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after some vacillation", ensure the context clearly indicates what decision or action was being contemplated. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "after some vacillation" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "after hesitating" or "after thinking about it" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after some vacillation" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing of an action in relation to a period of uncertainty or indecision. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after some vacillation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a decision or action followed a period of wavering or indecision. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct in written English. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to formal register. For more informal contexts, consider simpler alternatives. Understanding the nuances of this phrase can enhance your writing by adding detail and precision when describing decision-making processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following some hesitation

Substitutes "vacillation" with "hesitation", offering a simpler and more common alternative.

after a period of indecision

Replaces "vacillation" with a more explicit term for indecisiveness and lengthens the phrase.

after considerable wavering

Replaces "some vacillation" with "considerable wavering", emphasizing the back-and-forth nature of the indecision.

subsequent to some wavering

Replaces "after" with "subsequent to", adding a slightly more formal tone, and replaces "vacillation" with "wavering".

after a bit of dithering

Uses "dithering" as a more informal and slightly humorous substitute for "vacillation".

following a spell of uncertainty

Rephrases the idea to focus on a period of uncertainty rather than direct vacillation.

once the hesitation ended

Replace vacillation with the more direct “hesitation ended” showing a moment of termination of it.

after a time of doubt

Replace vacillation with “a time of doubt” maintaining the same meaning

once the uncertainty passed

Shift the focus from the vacillation to the resolution of the uncertainty.

after struggling to decide

Capture the sense of internal conflict and difficulty in making decision.

FAQs

How to use "after some vacillation" in a sentence?

Use "after some vacillation" to indicate that a decision or action was taken following a period of hesitation or indecision. For example: "After some vacillation, he finally decided to accept the offer."

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

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

Is "after some vacillation" formal or informal?

"After some vacillation" tends to be more formal. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "after thinking about it" or "after hesitating".

What's the difference between "after some vacillation" and "after some hesitation"?

While similar, "vacillation" implies more wavering and indecision than "hesitation". "After some hesitation" suggests a brief pause before acting, while "after some vacillation" suggests a more prolonged period of uncertainty and back-and-forth deliberation.