reluctance about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reluctance about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing hesitance or unwillingness regarding a specific topic or action. Example: "She expressed her reluctance about accepting the job offer due to the long commute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

All have expressed reluctance about repeal.

The New York Times

His reluctance about moving grows.

The New York Times - Books

Conservatives, by contrast, have evinced no such reluctance about their appellation.

The New Yorker

Walsh acknowledged some reluctance about the deal, but said, "That's my nature".

The New York Times - Sports

The administration has sensibly dropped its reluctance about negotiations with the Taliban.

The New York Times

But I seem to be holding back, feeling a reluctance about winter I've never felt before.

The New York Times

In interviews after Boogaard's death, Scott appeared to express some reluctance about his job as an enforcer.

The New York Times - Sports

Many refugees have expressed reluctance about remaining in Hungary, seeking to reach Germany or Austria where they have been welcomed.

Independent

The main countries supplying troops to the force, like Britain and France, have expressed reluctance about sending more, and the United States has expressed reluctance about guaranteeing the force's safe exit from the country.

The New York Times

"But I see more of that reluctance about East Africa, which you can probably attribute back to the embassy bombings.

The New York Times - Travel

Despite his initial reluctance about screen acting, Emms has added a couple more major Hollywood films to his CV.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reluctance about" when you want to express a mild form of unwillingness or hesitance regarding a specific topic. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the reluctance.

Common error

Avoid using "reluctance about" when a stronger term like "opposition to" or "rejection of" is more appropriate. "Reluctance" suggests a mild hesitation, not a firm stance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reluctance about" functions as a prepositional phrase expressing a feeling of unwillingness or hesitation towards a particular action, situation, or idea. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reluctance about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a mild form of unwillingness or hesitation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to convey reservations or concerns without implying outright opposition. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the degree of unwillingness matches the context. Remember to use stronger terms like "opposition to" when a firm stance is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reservations regarding

Indicates doubts or concerns about something.

doubts concerning

Directly expresses uncertainty or lack of confidence.

hesitation concerning

Focuses on the act of pausing or delaying due to uncertainty.

hesitancy towards

Highlights a pause or delay in action due to uncertainty or unwillingness.

misgivings about

Implies a sense of doubt or foreboding.

apprehension about

Suggests a feeling of anxiety or fear about a future event.

unease regarding

Emphasizes a feeling of discomfort or anxiety about something.

qualms about

Emphasizes moral or ethical concerns.

disinclination towards

Highlights a lack of enthusiasm or willingness.

scruples about

Similar to qualms, but suggests a stronger sense of moral principle.

FAQs

How can I use "reluctance about" in a sentence?

You can use "reluctance about" to express hesitance or unwillingness towards something. For example, "She expressed her reluctance about accepting the new position."

What are some alternatives to "reluctance about"?

Some alternatives include "hesitation concerning", "unease regarding", or "disinclination towards", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "reluctance about," or are there times when a different phrase is better?

While "reluctance about" is generally correct, it's best suited for situations where the hesitation is mild. Stronger opposition might be better expressed with phrases like "opposition to" or "rejection of".

What's the difference between "reluctance about" and "hesitancy about"?

"Reluctance about" implies a degree of unwillingness, while "hesitancy about" primarily focuses on a pause or delay due to uncertainty. The former suggests a reason behind the pause, the latter just the pause itself.