deep hesitation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep hesitation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or profound feeling of uncertainty or reluctance about making a decision or taking action. Example: "She felt a deep hesitation before accepting the job offer, unsure if it was the right move for her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Branson was wearing his trademark open-neck white shirt and black jacket, but the casual confidence of his delivery before the news cameras could not mask a deep hesitation about a project that has already crashed through several deadlines and whose cost has skyrocketed north of $1bn.

The Guardian

The Virgin boss was wearing his trademark open-neck white shirt and black jacket, but the casual confidence of his delivery before the news cameras could not mask a deep hesitation about a project that has already seen several deadlines missed and whose cost has ballooned to more than $1bn£626m6m).

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It has a ground clearance of almost a foot, it can iron out a 38-degree slope with ease and will wade through water that's half a metre deep without hesitation.

The Guardian - Tech

All over the world, I think, you'll find that there's a deep resistance and hesitation to rocking the boat.

HuffPost

Firefighter Jose Rodriguez, 59, on the job 30 years, bulled through swift knee-deep currents without hesitation and carried two women and one young man to safety, one at a time.

Los Angeles Times

He took a deep breath and without hesitation, pointed to the far end, where the two circles overlap as one.

The New York Times

"I can tell you without any hesitation, from deep in my heart, that my son did not intend to, or want to, shoot this kid," Mr. Haste, 52, said.

The New York Times

What were the authors trying to say in urging groups to develop "positive reciprocity in their relationships," or by asserting that "deep perplexity" often leads to "hesitation"?

The New York Times - Books

Discussions of why Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still free agents often revolve around the apparent hesitation of contending, deep-pocketed teams such as the Yankees and Dodgers to make major investments in them.

The Washington Post

The circumstances might have been freakish, if not entirely shocking, but Wenger says he has no hesitation about plunging Martínez in at the deep end.

The Guardian - Sport

Without a sign of hesitation, she unleashes powerful ground strokes that crash deep in the court, leaving opponents to swipe defensively from behind the baseline.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deep hesitation", ensure that the surrounding text clearly indicates the cause or object of the hesitation to provide clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "deep hesitation" in contexts where the level of doubt or reluctance is minor or insignificant. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving substantial uncertainty or serious consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep hesitation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "deep" intensifies the noun "hesitation". It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a strong feeling of doubt or reluctance. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deep hesitation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant feeling of reluctance or uncertainty. While Ludwig indicates its usage is correct, it's relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations where the level of doubt is substantial and consider alternatives like "profound reluctance" or "significant doubt" to add nuance. Ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the "deep hesitation" to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pronounced hesitation

Highlights the clarity of hesitation.

profound reluctance

Replaces "hesitation" with "reluctance", emphasizing unwillingness to act.

genuine reluctance

Highlights the authenticity of reluctance.

significant doubt

Focuses on the uncertainty aspect, substituting "hesitation" with "doubt".

marked reluctance

Highlights a noticeable unwillingness.

serious doubt

Highlights the importance of doubt.

considerable reservation

Uses "reservation" to indicate a feeling of doubt or unease.

intense uncertainty

Emphasizes the lack of confidence in a decision or action.

strong misgiving

Indicates a feeling of apprehension or doubt about something.

real apprehension

Highlights anxiety or fear about a future event or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "deep hesitation" to describe a significant feeling of uncertainty or reluctance. For example: "She felt a "deep hesitation" before accepting the job offer" or "There was a "deep hesitation" in his voice when he spoke about the project".

What are some alternatives to "deep hesitation"?

Alternatives include "profound reluctance", "significant doubt", or "considerable reservation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "deep hesitation" a formal or informal expression?

"Deep hesitation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in written rather than spoken English.

What's the difference between "slight hesitation" and "deep hesitation"?

"Slight hesitation" implies a minor pause or doubt, while "deep hesitation" indicates a more profound and significant reluctance or uncertainty.