pondering between

USAGE SUMMARY

"pondering between" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an act of thoughtful deliberation between two or more options. For example, "I was pondering between ordering the steak or the salmon for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., freshmen will discuss Christopher McDougall's "Born to Run," about the legendary Tarahumara distance runners of Mexico's Copper Canyons, while Montana State's first-years will be pondering "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," Aron Ralston's memoir of an ill-fated hike that ended with him amputating his own arm.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A Japanese maid named Haru-chan, based on Japanese maid culture, winks at you while you ponder between the Japanese fried chicken and curry on the menu.

Los Angeles Times

He is, instead, a scholar of the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh and of entrepreneurial finance, and, for several months before Friday's crash, which claimed the life of a test pilot, Lane had been pondering parallels between Raleigh's sixteenth-century sea voyages and twenty-first-century space exploration.

The New Yorker

Notwithstanding the democratic hanging, you may find yourself pondering the differences between insiders and outsiders.

The New York Times

I spent Earth Day in Kyoto, the next day in Hiroshima, and the time since pondering the difference between the two.

The New Yorker

But all the time, Doherty sounds like Danny in Withnail and I, pondering the difference between a judge's wig and a long white hat.

The Guardian - Film

"There's a difference between pondering sad, uncanny ironies and being force-fed them – it's sadder still that Ledger had to be enshrined like this".

The Guardian - Film

I set up targets, bought bows for my children, started pondering the differences between deflex and reflex in the way a bow bends.

The New York Times - Arts

She continues to learn about life through the centuries up until the present, pondering the differences between men and women — as well as their similarities — in this adaptation by Sally Potter of Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel.

The New York Times - Arts

Jim Lane, an analyst at Salomon Smith Barney, said that for Aetna shareholders pondering the talks between Aetna and ING, the central question was not the "minutiae" of credit ratings and tax planning, but the underlying value of Aetna's health care unit.

The New York Times

A generation after Defoe and a generation before Rousseau, the philosopher David Hume was pondering the difference between memoir and fiction — a difference that, ultimately, may have as much to do with readers as it does with writers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pondering between" when you want to convey thoughtful consideration of multiple options or a comparison between two or more entities. Ensure the context clearly involves a decision or evaluation process.

Common error

Avoid using "pondering between" when only one option is present. The phrase implies a comparison or choice, so ensure there are multiple items or ideas being considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pondering between" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of carefully considering or deliberating among multiple options or entities. It emphasizes the mental process of evaluating different choices, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pondering between" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of thoughtful deliberation among multiple options. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various applications. While less common than simpler alternatives, it effectively conveys careful consideration and decision-making. Remember to use it when there are genuinely multiple options being evaluated to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberating between

Emphasizes a more formal and careful consideration of options.

weighing up between

Highlights the process of balancing different factors when making a decision.

considering among

Focuses on the act of considering but uses 'among' instead of 'between', suitable when there are more than two options.

contemplating the choice between

Adds a layer of thoughtfulness and introspection to the act of choosing.

assessing the options between

Focuses on evaluating the different possibilities available.

evaluating among

Similar to 'considering among', but with a stronger emphasis on judging the value of each option.

considering the merits of each

Focuses specifically on judging the positive aspects of different options.

reflecting on the contrast between

Highlights a comparison of opposing ideas or items.

examining the link between

Suggests a detailed investigation into the relationship between items.

analyzing the connection between

Shifts the focus to understanding how different elements relate to each other.

FAQs

How do I use "pondering between" in a sentence?

You can use "pondering between" to show careful consideration, such as "I am "pondering between" job offers" or "She was "pondering between" different approaches to the problem."

What can I say instead of "pondering between"?

Alternatives include "considering among", "deliberating between", or "weighing up between", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "pondering between" with more than two options?

While "between" typically refers to two items, it is often used informally for more than two, especially when emphasizing pairwise comparisons. However, for strict grammatical precision, consider using "considering among" for multiple options.

What's the difference between "pondering between" and "pondering the difference between"?

"Pondering between" suggests a choice or decision, while "pondering the difference between" focuses on understanding the distinctions between items. For example, ""pondering between" vacation destinations" versus "pondering the difference between classical and romantic music".