hesitating between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hesitating between" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person who is struggling to make a decision or to choose between two options. You can use it in any situation where someone is struggling to choose between two things. For example: - "She stood at the dessert table, hesitating between the chocolate cake and the cheesecake." - "After much deliberation, he finally made a decision, hesitating between the job offer in New York and the one in Los Angeles." - "The politician was seen hesitating between his loyalty to his party and his personal convictions." - "The children were hesitating between going to the park or staying home to play video games." - "I found myself hesitating between the practicality of buying a new car and the sentimental attachment to my old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I am hesitating between Mademoiselle and Medieval.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When I had my business, clients hesitating between public and private would ask my opinion.

The New York Times

The experience itself is a bit like hesitating between literary genres.

The New Yorker

As I was hesitating between Japanese lanterns and anemones, an elderly woman laboriously pushing a shopping cart stopped near me.

The New York Times

The opposition, after hesitating between calling for a boycott or a no vote, had little time to campaign against it.

The Economist

At the moment I'm hesitating between two entirely different concepts: a recovering teacher, and a teacher emeritus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He hesitated between second and third before moving ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

"I hesitated between Beckham and Gameiro but I preferred Gameiro to add offensive energy," Ancelotti said.

The Guardian - Sport

He hesitates between the possibility of a Berlusconi government and no government at all.

The Guardian

He hesitated between "weird" and "stupid" and eventually chose the latter.

The New Yorker

"I hesitated between Beckham and Gameiro," Ancelotti said, "but I preferred Gameiro to add offensive energy".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hesitating between", ensure that the options being considered are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example: "She was hesitating between the red dress and the blue one."

Common error

Avoid using "hesitating between" in passive voice constructions where it obscures the actor. Instead of "A decision was being hesitated between two options", specify who is hesitating: "The manager was hesitating between two candidates."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hesitating between" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating a state of indecision or a pause in the decision-making process. Ludwig AI provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hesitating between" is a common and correct prepositional phrase used to describe indecision when choosing between options. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While versatile, ensure its usage is clear by explicitly stating the options being considered. Alternatives like "wavering between" or "torn between" can offer nuanced shades of meaning. Avoiding passive voice constructions ensures clarity and impact when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wavering between

Focuses on the instability and fluctuation in making a decision.

undecided between

Directly indicates a lack of decision between options.

torn between

Emphasizes the conflict and difficulty in choosing.

vacillating between

Suggests an oscillating pattern of indecision.

on the fence between

Idiomatic expression indicating neutrality or indecision.

in two minds about

British idiom for being uncertain or having conflicting opinions.

contemplating whether to

Implies a more thoughtful consideration of options.

pondering over

Indicates a deep and careful thought process.

debating whether to

Focuses on the internal argument and evaluation of options.

considering alternatives

Highlights the active process of exploring different choices.

FAQs

How can I use "hesitating between" in a sentence?

Use "hesitating between" to show indecision when choosing from two or more options. For example, "He was "hesitating between" the apple and the orange."

What are some alternatives to "hesitating between"?

Alternatives include "wavering between", "undecided between", or "torn between", which each offer slightly different nuances of indecision.

Is there a difference between "hesitating between" and "pondering over"?

"Hesitating between" suggests a momentary pause or indecision right before making a choice, while "pondering over" implies a deeper, more contemplative thought process about a decision.

Can "hesitating between" be used with more than two options?

While technically correct, "hesitating between" is typically used when choosing between two options. For multiple options, consider using phrases like "having difficulty deciding among" or "considering alternatives".