hesitant initially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hesitant initially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who shows uncertainty or reluctance at the beginning of a situation or process. Example: "She was hesitant initially about joining the project, but eventually decided to participate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was hesitant initially about whether studying abroad was for me: I was nervous about fulfilling credits and, coming from a Greek family who travels home often, I was not sure I would gain much from traveling.

Duke University

The Astros were hesitant initially due to Bagwell's low home run totals, but Benjamin convinced them by explaining that his numbers were deceiving due to the large ballpark that he played in.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Admittedly, I was hesitant when I initially picked up this book.

The Guardian

The medical profession, he says, was initially hesitant to embrace contrition.

The New York Times

Initially hesitant, Mr. Buffett eventually agreed to the deal, the third-largest purchase in his career.

The New York Times

The Brazilian manager was initially hesitant to play his young star.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Initially hesitant, the tipster opened up with the encouragement of the detective on the line, Elena Donnell.

The New York Times

Valentine said he was initially hesitant because of Scutaro's inexperience at first base.

The New York Times - Sports

Lotz was initially hesitant to describe his symptoms, but he eventually admitted that he heard voices.

The New Yorker

These types of concerns made Julian Hatfield and Christine Williams initially hesitant to try Fathom.

The Guardian

He was initially hesitant in reaching out to Hutchinson, wondering whether their respective interpretations of the poem would differ.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "hesitant initially" with a contrasting statement showing how the initial hesitation was overcome, emphasizing a change in attitude or action.

Common error

Avoid using "hesitant initially" when a stronger term like "opposed" or "resistant" would be more accurate. "Hesitant" implies a mild reluctance, not firm opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hesitant initially" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner or state at the beginning of an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys initial reluctance or uncertainty. See Ludwig's examples for context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hesitant initially" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey initial reluctance or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates its application in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While the phrase is relatively rare, it serves the purpose of setting the stage for explaining how initial hesitation was overcome or changed. When using the phrase, ensure that the degree of hesitation is appropriate and provide context to explain the cause and subsequent resolution of the hesitation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially reluctant

Reverses the order of the words, but retains the same meaning.

reluctant at first

Emphasizes the reluctance aspect more strongly than the timing.

at the start, hesitant

Highlights that being hesitant happens at the start of the process.

initially unwilling

Emphasizes the lack of willingness at the beginning.

at first doubtful

Focuses on the doubt experienced at the beginning.

initially uncertain

Focuses on the uncertainty rather than reluctance.

originally apprehensive

Uses a more formal word for hesitant, highlighting a slight anxiety.

firstly dubious

Emphasizes the skepticism at the beginning.

started with reluctance

Uses a different structure, focusing on the feeling of reluctance.

began with hesitation

Uses a different structure, focusing on the act of hesitating.

FAQs

What does "hesitant initially" mean?

The phrase "hesitant initially" means showing reluctance or uncertainty at the beginning of a process or situation.

How can I use "hesitant initially" in a sentence?

You might say, "She was "hesitant initially" about the job offer, but the benefits convinced her."

What are some alternatives to "hesitant initially"?

You can use alternatives like "reluctant at first", "initially reluctant", or "at first doubtful" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "hesitant initially"?

While "initially" implies the beginning, using both "hesitant" and "initially" can emphasize the temporal aspect of the hesitation. The redundancy is minimal and often acceptable for clarity.