hesitant to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hesitant to respond" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is unsure or reluctant to give an answer or reaction to a question or situation. Example: "She seemed hesitant to respond to the controversial question during the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"When combined with on-going global economic and political uncertainty this makes households and businesses cautious, and hesitant to respond to monetary stimulus.

The Guardian

Bush administration officials are enthusiastic about weakening the rebels, and may be hesitant to respond to criticisms of Mr. Uribe's hard-line approach.

The New York Times

Even before the North made real progress on its nuclear program, however, the South was hesitant to respond too strongly to Pyongyang's provocations for fear it could ravage Seoul with conventional weapons.

The New York Times

Protests have sprung up at US airports where passengers from the countries have been detained, and even UK prime minister Theresa May, who seemed hesitant to respond to the ban after a successful tête-à-tête with Trump this week, has said that she "does not agree" with Trump's actions.

The Guardian

I would be really hesitant to respond to a "Coke or Pepsi" poll, for fear that I'd get spammed or targeted by either company.

TechCrunch

When Denton said Spacey's name, Pearce appeared hesitant to respond. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

No parent had been hesitant to answer any question.

BMC Pediatrics

James Walston, a professor of political science at the American University of Rome, said, "The rest of Europe is extremely worried, but not quite sure how to respond and hesitant to criticize too forcefully after their experience with Haider," the far-right Austrian Jörg Haider.

The New York Times

Respondents who were hesitant to agree to work additional hours when required were 17 times less likely to respond during a pandemic if asked.

BMC Public Health

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have been hesitant to fly abroad, Mr. Porras said, and the trans-Atlantic airlines have responded to the fall in bookings by cutting capacity, not by cutting prices.

The New York Times

"I was hesitant to send this e-mail to this big shot," she says, but he responded warmly and invited her to come work in his lab.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hesitant to respond", consider the underlying reason for the hesitation. Providing context can strengthen your writing by clarifying the source of the reluctance, such as fear, uncertainty, or strategic calculation.

Common error

While "hesitant to respond" is grammatically correct, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "reluctant to reply" or "unwilling to answer" to add variety and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hesitant to respond" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, indicating a state of reluctance or unwillingness to react or answer. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hesitant to respond" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe reluctance or unwillingness to react or answer. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. While it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general communication, varying your phrasing with synonyms like "reluctant to reply" or "unwilling to answer" can enhance your writing style. Keep in mind the underlying reasons for the hesitation to provide richer context and avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reluctant to reply

Changes the verb to 'reply', focusing on the act of answering rather than a broader response.

unwilling to answer

Replaces 'hesitant' with 'unwilling', indicating a stronger degree of reluctance.

disinclined to react

Uses 'disinclined' and 'react', suggesting a lack of motivation to respond.

slow to acknowledge

Emphasizes the delay in recognizing or addressing something.

guarded in their response

Highlights the cautious nature of the reply, implying a careful selection of words.

circumspect in answering

Indicates a thoughtful and wary approach to giving an answer.

reserved in their reaction

Suggests restraint and a lack of overt response.

evasive when questioned

Focuses on avoiding a direct answer during questioning.

cagey about answering

Highlights the secretive or non-committal nature of the response.

reticent to engage

Implies a reluctance to participate or become involved in a discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "hesitant to respond" in a sentence?

You can use "hesitant to respond" to describe someone who is reluctant or unwilling to give an answer or reaction, such as, "She was "hesitant to respond" to the controversial question during the interview".

What are some alternatives to "hesitant to respond"?

Alternatives include "reluctant to reply", "unwilling to answer", or "disinclined to react", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "hesitant to respond" or "hesitant in responding"?

"Hesitant to respond" is generally preferred over "hesitant in responding" as it is more concise and commonly used. The former is also simpler and clearer.

What does it mean when someone is "hesitant to respond"?

It means they are showing reluctance, delay, or uncertainty in giving an answer or reaction. This could be due to various reasons, such as fear of consequences, lack of information, or strategic calculation.