in hesitation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in hesitation' is a correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a moment when someone pauses before doing something or saying something, as if they are uncertain or hesitant. For example: "He stopped speaking in hesitation, looking around the room at the unfamiliar faces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's a common ailment that affects millions who wallow in hesitation and wishy-washy wishing.

Huffington Post

The commercial failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within resulted in hesitation and delays from Enix during merger discussions with Square.

Wikipedia

But when Hillary then takes that leap and enters the fray, when she becomes embroiled in controversy and partisan wars, we shrink back in hesitation and leave her to fend off the wolves alone.

Huffington Post

The provider's health and safety concerns, especially regarding unmarried young women and women without children, resulted in hesitation in providing contraceptives.

BMC Health Services Research

The synonymous interpretation of HIV/AIDS to immorality would result in hesitation on part of the people to get themselves tested for HIV infection leaving a large number of HIV infected individuals unaware of their status.

BioMed Research International

A huge factor in hesitation is fear of doing the wrong thing, or making a mistake.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Some decisions must be made before an invisible timer runs out; in combat, hesitation results in injury or death.

Wikipedia

Participants were nearly universal in expressing extreme hesitation in bringing this about.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Indeed, Edgar Warren (1924), an assayer in Gothic, had "no hesitation" in going into business in Gothic due to the "glowing accounts" coming from the Elk Mountain region.

Human Ecology

She wasn't alone in her hesitation.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet She wasn't alone in her hesitation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in hesitation" to describe a brief pause or moment of uncertainty before an action or decision. It effectively conveys a sense of reluctance or contemplation.

Common error

Avoid using "with hesitation" interchangeably with "in hesitation". While both are understandable, "in hesitation" often implies a more internal state of mind or feeling that causes the pause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in hesitation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As illustrated by Ludwig, it indicates a state of pausing or reluctance before acting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in hesitation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe a pause or reluctance before acting or speaking. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates uncertainty, thoughtfulness or unwillingness. Common contexts include news, scientific articles and wikis. While "in hesitation" and "with hesitation" are similar, "in hesitation" tends to highlight the internal state more. Alternatives like "with reluctance" or "with uncertainty" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with reluctance

Emphasizes the unwillingness or disinclination to act.

with some reluctance

Highlights a degree of unwillingness or disinclination to act.

with uncertainty

Stresses the lack of clarity or conviction.

with some uncertainty

Highlights a degree of lack of clarity or conviction.

with reservation

Highlights a degree of doubt or uncertainty.

with trepidation

Focuses on fear or anxiety about what might happen.

with diffidence

Indicates shyness or a lack of self-confidence.

after pausing

Describes the act of stopping briefly before continuing.

after a delay

Highlights the temporal aspect of the pause.

after some thought

Emphasizes the consideration given before acting.

FAQs

How can I use "in hesitation" in a sentence?

You can use "in hesitation" to describe someone pausing before acting or speaking. For example: "She spoke "in hesitation", unsure of how to proceed."

What's a good substitute for the phrase "in hesitation"?

Alternatives include phrases like "with reluctance", "with reservation", or "with uncertainty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "in hesitation" or "with hesitation"?

Both are grammatically acceptable, but "in hesitation" often emphasizes an internal feeling prompting the pause, while "with hesitation" might focus more on the external action. Consider the context to choose the best fit.

How does "in hesitation" differ from simply saying someone hesitated?

"In hesitation" describes the state or manner in which someone is acting, while "hesitated" is a verb indicating the action itself. The phrase adds more descriptive depth.