cause hesitation

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to explain a pause in speaking or why someone might be hesitating. Example: "He hesitated before answering, 'cause hesitation over the right decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Dwelling on performance anxiety may cause hesitation or a loss of inspiration.

The Guardian - Business

Can vary formulation to avoid frequent repetition, but lexical gaps can still cause hesitation and circumlocution.

Language Testing in Asia

However, uncertainties about demand and policy cause hesitation and signs of stagnating development.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

According to English commentator John Arlott, the playing surface was easier for batting than it had been at the start of the day, "but the difference was not such as to cause hesitation in the best batsmen in England".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This often causes hesitation – some charities leave the decision to merge too late and either haven't the resources to make it happen or consider it too much of a liability.

The Guardian

In addition to the recalls, some owners have complained that the company has not satisfactorily resolved problems involving two specific, recurring problems: failures of the ignition locks, and fuel pumps on 2000-01 models that tend to clog, causing hesitation or stalling.

The New York Times

Family economics and logistics Informants stated that family economics often caused hesitation for parents when considering participation in a study.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Adamson had given Crusaders the lead in the 24th minute after Stephen Cockcroft's cross had caused hesitation between defender Colin Nixon and keeper Paul Cairnduff.

BBC

In addition, this exercise causes hesitation in the elderly, which results in increased double support time and corresponds to information processing time and cognitive task performance.

Clinical interventions in aging

Given the history in the US and the UK, it was questioned whether Dutch policy-makers and (health) professionals were aware of the issues of discrimination and stigmatisation thus causing hesitation about the introduction of a screening programme in the Netherlands.

Ethnicity and Health

By mandatorily making the participants create topics and build relationships among the topics, ROS can improve learners' awareness for saving and organizing the learning resources found on one hand but has the possibility of causing hesitations and anxieties in the learners having not decided on the topics and associations.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause hesitation", ensure the context clearly indicates what is producing the hesitation. For instance, "Uncertainty about the new policy may "cause hesitation" among employees."

Common error

Avoid using "cause hesitation" without specifying what exactly is causing the hesitation. Saying something "causes hesitation" without explaining the cause leaves the reader wondering and reduces the sentence's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause hesitation" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "cause" acts as the main verb and "hesitation" serves as the direct object. This indicates that something is actively producing a state of pausing or reluctance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause hesitation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something prompting a pause or reluctance. Ludwig AI indicates that it's valid in written English. Its versatility allows usage in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. When employing the phrase, ensure the cause of hesitation is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "prompt reluctance" or "generate doubt" can be used for nuanced variations. While "cause hesitation" is appropriate for neutral and formal settings, tailoring language to match specific context enhances clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create reluctance

Highlights the creation of an unwillingness or disinclination.

prompt reluctance

Focuses on initiating a feeling of unwillingness or opposition.

produce doubt

Simple and direct, focusing on the result of creating uncertainty.

generate doubt

Emphasizes creating a sense of uncertainty or disbelief.

trigger uncertainty

Highlights the act of setting off a state of being unsure or indefinite.

induce wariness

Stresses causing a state of caution or suspicion.

invite pause

Emphasizes suggesting or encouraging a brief stop or delay.

foster second thoughts

Focuses on encouraging reconsideration or doubt about a decision.

engender reservation

Emphasizes producing a feeling of doubt or unease.

spark indecision

Highlights initiating a lack of decision or resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "cause hesitation" in a sentence?

You can use "cause hesitation" to describe something that prompts a pause or reluctance. For example, "The high price may "cause hesitation" among potential buyers."

What are some alternatives to "cause hesitation"?

Alternatives include "prompt reluctance", "generate doubt", or "trigger uncertainty", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "cause hesitation" and "cause reluctance"?

"Cause hesitation" implies a pause or delay, while "cause reluctance" suggests unwillingness. "Cause reluctance" suggests a stronger aversion than "cause hesitation".

Is it better to say "caused hesitation" or "causing hesitation"?

Both are grammatically correct, but their use depends on the context. "Caused hesitation" refers to a past event, while "causing hesitation" describes an ongoing or present effect. For example: "The news caused hesitation." vs. "The rumor is causing hesitation."