hesitant speech

USAGE SUMMARY

'hesitant speech' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's speech which is slow or hesitant, for instance when they are nervous or unsure. For example, "The actor delivered his lines in hesitant speech, betraying his nervousness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Obvious to the mere observer or the frightened student were his aristocratic way of carrying himself, suggesting arrogance, his impeccable clothes, his neat hair, his studious, exact, but never hesitant speech, his formidable intelligence.

The New Yorker

Can use appropriate intonation in the most familiar of words and phrases; hesitant speech makes the listener's task difficult.

Language Testing in Asia

I also stressed the artifice behind the video production – that I was reading, that my usually quite hesitant speech could be overcome this way and through edits, that I had to spend extensive time on both producing it and getting it in a format that I could share.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

His speech development was also slow, and he retained a stammer, or hesitant speech, for the rest of his life.

Wikipedia

Stuttering and hesitant speech may constitute an action dystonia, as previously suggested (Kiziltan and Akalin, 1996; Puig et al., 2008).

Brain

A task-specific jaw dystonia occurred with speaking in three, and six had stuttering or hesitant speech.

Brain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Gore is similarly never hesitant about upending speeches or events.

The New York Times

A third clinical syndrome of progressive aphasia, logopenic (Greek "few words") aphasia, presents with hesitant but grammatically correct speech marred by word-finding pauses, anomia, and impaired phonological working memory manifesting as disproportionate difficulty repeating spoken phrases versus single words (fig 2).

British Medical Journal

The film correctly shows that the accent was so thick, and his speech so hesitant, that Turner could not always be understood when giving lectures.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Ruffalo's whispery intensity and the narcotizing, hesitant rhythms of his speech seem to draw Ms. Ryan out of her stupor even as they tilt our curiosity away from her and toward him.

The New York Times

If he sounds careful in his speech and hesitant, he may have placed some thought into what he is saying.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state or a speaker's level of confidence, use "hesitant speech" to effectively convey their uncertainty or nervousness. For example, "His hesitant speech revealed his anxiety about the presentation."

Common error

Avoid associating "hesitant speech" solely with a lack of intelligence or knowledge. Hesitancy can stem from various factors like nervousness, language barriers, or complex thought processes. Be nuanced in your portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hesitant speech" functions as a noun phrase, where "hesitant" modifies the noun "speech". It describes a particular quality or characteristic of speech. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hesitant speech" effectively describes speech marked by pauses, uncertainty, or a lack of fluency. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and finds use across various contexts, from scientific literature to news reports. While "hesitant speech" is an accepted and understandable phrase, you might consider alternatives like "halting speech" or "faltering speech" to add nuance. Remember to avoid the common error of associating "hesitant speech" solely with a lack of intelligence, as hesitancy can stem from various causes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halting speech

Focuses on the broken or interrupted nature of the speech.

stammering speech

Highlights the repetition or prolongation of sounds in speech.

faltering speech

Emphasizes a loss of confidence or strength in the delivery of speech.

stumbling speech

Suggests difficulty in articulating words smoothly.

uncertain speech

Indicates a lack of conviction or confidence in what is being said.

pausing speech

Focuses on the frequent use of pauses during speech.

broken speech

Implies a fragmented or incomplete manner of speaking.

labored speech

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in speaking.

stilted speech

Describes speech that is unnaturally formal and stiff.

inarticulate speech

Suggests a lack of clarity and expressiveness in speech.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "hesitant speech" in a sentence?

Use "hesitant speech" to describe a manner of speaking marked by pauses, uncertainty, or a lack of fluency. For example, "The witness's "hesitant speech" suggested he was withholding information".

What are some alternatives to "hesitant speech"?

You can use alternatives like "halting speech", "faltering speech", or "uncertain speech" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hesitant speech" in formal writing?

Yes, "hesitant speech" is appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and appears in various reputable sources.

What might cause someone to exhibit "hesitant speech"?

"Hesitant speech" can be caused by various factors, including nervousness, anxiety, a language barrier, uncertainty about the topic, or careful consideration of one's words.