on the fence between

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the fence between" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the state of being undecided between two options. For example: "I'm still on the fence between buying a car or leasing one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"If they were sitting on the fence between 'should I buy a gun or not buy one,' well, this was the catalyst that pushed them over," said a former employee of a major gun manufacturer who lost his job early this year as a result of slumping sales.

The New York Times

We were on the fence between Two and Three Pinocchios.

The Washington Post

"I've always been on the fence between science and medicine," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Vettel's performance sits shakily on the fence between imitation and interpretation.

The New York Times

"It sits right on the fence between hedonism and intellectual pursuit," said the chef Mario Batali.

The New York Times - Food

I see chemotherapy as sitting on the fence between curative and palliative.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

They were absent from the room when the Sykes-Picot agreement was signed in 1916, dividing the Arab countries between toady's on-the-fence members of the Security Council, Britain and France.

Huffington Post

The military said that Mr. Maqawai is a member of the Ashura Council of the Martyrs of Jerusalem, a Gaza-based Global Jihad affiliate, and that Mr. Jarbi was a Global Jihad operative who had been involved in "extensive terrorist activity" for years, including an attack in June in which an Israeli contractor working on building the fence between Israel and Egypt was killed.

The New York Times

On the other hand, maybe straddling the fence between old and new, youthful innovation and old-world wisdom, is relevant.

The New York Times - Sports

Following the Nakba Day protests by Palestinian refugees on the border with Lebanon and the fence between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, a similar demonstration has been called for this Sunday, June 5, to mark the anniversary of the Six Day War.

The Guardian

Women On the Fence: Torn between two things?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the fence between", clearly identify the two options being considered to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague uses of "on the fence". Always specify the choices someone is "on the fence" between to ensure clarity for your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the fence between" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective or adverbial modifier. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase describes a state of being undecided between two options. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate it modifying subjects in sentences, indicating their state of indecision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the fence between" is a common and correct idiom used to describe a state of indecision between two options. Ludwig AI confirms that it's readily usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it signifies that a decision has not been made, and the individual or entity is weighing their choices. For clarity, it’s best practice to clearly state the two options someone is "on the fence between". Alternatives include phrases like ""undecided between"" or ""wavering between"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undecided between

Focuses more directly on the state of not having made a decision.

wavering between

Suggests a back-and-forth movement in one's opinion or choice.

torn between

Implies a difficult choice causing internal conflict.

sitting on the fence regarding

Similar idiom, but uses "regarding" to specify the subject of indecision.

in two minds about

British English idiom expressing uncertainty.

straddling the line between

Emphasizes being in a position that encompasses elements of both options.

caught between

Highlights the feeling of being trapped or pressured by two options.

hesitating between

Focuses on the act of pausing before making a decision.

undetermined between

Formally indicates the absence of a final decision.

vacillating between

Suggests an inability to firmly choose between options, implying frequent changes of mind.

FAQs

How can I use "on the fence between" in a sentence?

You can use "on the fence between" to describe a state of indecision. For example, "I am "on the fence between" accepting the job offer and going back to school."

What does it mean to be "on the fence between" two things?

Being "on the fence between" two options means you are undecided and haven't yet chosen which option to pursue.

What can I say instead of "on the fence between"?

Alternatives include "undecided between", "wavering between", or "torn between", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always clear what choices someone is "on the fence between"?

No, it's not always clear. For the sake of clarity, always specify the options when using the phrase. For example, instead of saying "He's on the fence", say "He's "on the fence between" accepting the promotion and staying in his current role."