hesitant as to whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hesitant as to whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or indecision about a particular choice or action. Example: "She was hesitant as to whether she should accept the job offer or continue her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although Kellaway had groomed Burnet to become a pivotal figure, he was hesitant as to whether Burnet would be at his most effective with a strategic leadership role.

Wikipedia

Returning to Scandinavia, she was hesitant as to whether she should carve out a career in Stockholm, with its greater opportunities, or in Kristiania, to which she had closer emotional ties.

Wikipedia

Some GPs were hesitant as to whether they would be permitted to prescribe medicine for the undocumented migrants.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And despite Duke's hesitant optimism as to whether or not more dark-skinned women in the mainstream such as Nyong'o will make a lasting difference, he still hopes the book can help more women learn the importance of self-love.

Huffington Post

However, the correlation between the level of vir gene expression and tumor size and frequency in this assay have not been thoroughly tested, and thus we are hesitant to speculate as to whether this decreased vir expression might significantly impact disease incidence and severity.

Genome Biology and Evolution

As a journalist, I'm hesitant to pass judgment as to whether or not a band is "about" something.

Vice

If they seemed hesitant the researcher and the midwife made an agreement as to whether to call later and if so after how long.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Moreover, she is as hesitant as Darwin to try to destroy the meaning other people see in their lives.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Additionally, the question rises as to whether it is this false modesty that makes women hesitant in taking up new surgical techniques into their daily clinic.

Gynecological Surgery

So you become more hesitant as well.

Huffington Post

But voters may not be as hesitant as politicians to pronounce the end of the Menino era.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hesitant as to whether", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the hesitation and the specific matter being considered. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences with excessive passive voice when using "hesitant as to whether". Over-reliance on passive constructions can make the sentence convoluted and obscure the actor involved. Instead, opt for a more direct and active voice for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hesitant as to whether" functions as a prepositional phrase expressing a state of uncertainty or indecision. As Ludwig AI states, it is deemed grammatically correct. It usually introduces a clause indicating the matter about which someone is hesitant. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hesitant as to whether" is a grammatically sound way to express uncertainty or indecision, as stated by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare, it appears in diverse sources ranging from news to scientific articles. It functions as a prepositional phrase, conveying a lack of confidence or certainty regarding a situation or decision. For simpler alternatives, consider "unsure if" or "doubtful whether". Its neutral formality makes it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, offering writers flexibility in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubtful as to whether

Replaces "hesitant" with "doubtful", emphasizing a lack of certainty.

unsure as to whether

Substitutes "hesitant" with "unsure", indicating a lack of confidence.

uncertain as to whether

Employs "uncertain" instead of "hesitant", highlighting a state of not knowing.

indecisive as to whether

Replaces "hesitant" with "indecisive", focusing on the inability to make a decision.

undecided as to whether

Similar to "indecisive", but emphasizes the lack of a settled opinion.

questionable as to whether

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty of the situation itself rather than the person's hesitation.

sceptical as to whether

Implies a degree of doubt or disbelief regarding a particular outcome.

wait and see as to whether

Indicates a decision to postpone judgment until more information is available.

in two minds about whether

An idiomatic expression indicating internal conflict or indecision.

vacillating on whether

Suggests wavering back and forth between different options.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "hesitant as to whether" to sound more direct?

You could use phrases like "unsure if", "doubtful whether", or "undecided about whether". For example, instead of saying "She was hesitant as to whether to accept the job", you could say "She was "unsure if" she should accept the job".

Is "hesitant as to whether" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "hesitant as to whether" is suitable for formal writing, but it can also be used in less formal contexts. Its formality level is neutral, making it appropriate for diverse writing styles. Be mindful that using direct synonyms might make your writing more concise.

What's the difference between "hesitant as to whether" and "hesitant about whether"?

While both phrases convey a sense of uncertainty, "hesitant as to whether" is generally considered more formal. "Hesitant about whether" is a slightly more relaxed alternative. Both are grammatically correct.

When should I use "hesitant as to whether" instead of simpler alternatives like "unsure" or "doubtful"?

Use "hesitant as to whether" when you want to emphasize the deliberation and consideration involved in the hesitation, especially when referring to a specific decision or action. If you want to sound less formal you can chose "unsure" or "doubtful".