he was indecisive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was indecisive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has difficulty making decisions or is uncertain about their choices. Example: "During the meeting, he was indecisive about which project to prioritize, leaving the team confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They thought he was indecisive and not fit to lead the country.

The Guardian - Sport

By the end of Term 2 he was indecisive and weak.

The New York Times

He was too kind to have the butcher instincts required of a party leader and whilst intellectually razor sharp, he was indecisive and given to public agonising.

The Guardian

On a recent visit to Ukraine, some of his friends and advisers admitted to me that he was indecisive and sometimes unfocused.

The Guardian - Opinion

There had been reports that producers had been exasperated by the erratic behaviour of the 31-year-old director, with The Hollywood Reporter reporting that he was "indecisive and uncommunicative" on set.

Independent

His critics, however, have said he was indecisive and hesitant during his 15 months leading the development corporation, a term blemished by infighting (by the end, Mr. Foye and another top executive did not speak), the collapse of a billion-dollar planned expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and little progress on the Moynihan Station project.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"He's indecisive, wants to please everyone," comments one adviser.

The Economist

"It looks like he's indecisive," he said.

The New York Times

Yet Crovitz's newsroom experience (five years) was all overseas, and some fellow-executives say that he is indecisive.

The New Yorker

It is not that he lacks a "vision" (his egalitarian meritocracy is perfectly serviceable), or that he is indecisive and uncharismatic (though he is).

The Economist

The problem, according to officials who have worked with him, is that he is as obsessive with day-to-day minutiae as he is indecisive on major issues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "he was indecisive", provide context or specific examples to illustrate their lack of decisiveness. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "he was indecisive" without providing supporting details. Explain the situation where their indecision was apparent and the consequences of their hesitancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was indecisive" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a subject's tendency to hesitate or struggle with decision-making. As Ludwig AI shows, this is often used in news and media to portray political figures or leaders.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was indecisive" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone's difficulty in making decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears frequently in news and media, particularly in the context of political figures, it's important to provide context when using it. Alternatives like "he hesitated" or "he was uncertain" can offer nuanced meaning. Remember to avoid overusing "indecisive" without specific examples to support your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he hesitated

Focuses on the act of pausing or delaying due to uncertainty.

he was uncertain

Highlights a lack of confidence or clarity in decision-making.

he vacillated

Implies a back-and-forth wavering between options.

he equivocated

Suggests an attempt to avoid making a clear or direct statement.

he dithered

Emphasizes a prolonged period of indecision and delay.

he couldn't make up his mind

A more informal way of expressing indecisiveness.

he lacked decisiveness

Focuses on the absence of a specific quality or trait.

he was ambivalent

Highlights mixed feelings or conflicting ideas.

he was of two minds

Suggests conflicting opinions or inclinations.

he hemmed and hawed

An idiomatic expression for speaking hesitantly and indecisively.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is described as "he was indecisive"?

It means the person had difficulty making decisions or showed uncertainty in choosing between different options.

What can I say instead of "he was indecisive"?

You can use alternatives like "he hesitated", "he was uncertain", or "he vacillated" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "he was indecisive" or "he lacked decisiveness"?

Both are correct, but "he was indecisive" is more conversational, while "he lacked decisiveness" is more formal.

How can I use the phrase "he was indecisive" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite having all the information, "he was indecisive" and failed to take action."