to waver between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to waver between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing indecision or fluctuating between two or more options or states. Example: "She seemed to waver between accepting the job offer and staying at her current position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The tone is expected to waver between pro-science and anti-Trump.

The Guardian

It allows them to waver between the metaphorical and the literal".

The New Yorker

He has a thinning pate, a bony nose, and craggy features that tend to waver between a frown and a leer.

The New Yorker

George Jennett, 63, a livery driver, seemed to waver between sympathy for the mayor and support for police efforts to catch drivers without licenses or registration.

The New York Times

Mr. Maazel, who can do anything with a baton, tends to waver between doing too much, with fussy appliques, and too little, in stretches left to bang along.

The New York Times - Arts

Even compared with the other former Soviet nations, Ukraine — with a population of 46 million — seems to waver between Europe and Russia, so that isolating it from the West could have profound consequences.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

These criticisms point to a kind of instability inherent in mitigated skepticism: it seems to waver unhealthily between a dogmatic position allowing for something approaching certainty about some questions and a radical skepticism about our ability to make any epistemic progress.

SEP

These images convey conflicting information to the eyes, causing perception to waver randomly between alternative interpretations, or percepts (Figure 1b, top).

Plosone

It happens so frequently that chase talk tends to waver back and forth between a single pair of pessimistic poles.

The New Yorker

Pakistan's efforts to restore normalcy — a vital test of the government's resolve to stand up to the Taliban — waver between fear and hope, leaving an enduring victory over the militants a distant goal.

The New York Times

But Mr. Lynn still seemed to be wavering between sharp and soft, with shoulders encased in silver body armor or sleeves raw and furry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to waver between" when you want to describe a situation where someone or something is indecisive or alternates between two options, states, or feelings. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to waver between" when you actually mean "to vary among several options". "Waver" implies a more binary choice, while "vary" suggests a wider range.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to waver between" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of indecision, fluctuation, or oscillation between two options. Ludwig examples show its use in describing conflicting feelings, policy shifts, or aesthetic qualities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to waver between" is a prepositional phrase that signifies indecision or fluctuation between two options or states. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English writing. With a neutral register, it appears frequently in news and media, science and encyclopedias contexts. To enhance writing, consider using it to accurately depict situations of uncertainty, and avoid confusing it with terms that imply a wider range of options. Alternatives like "to oscillate between" or "to fluctuate between" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to oscillate between

Replaces "waver" with "oscillate", emphasizing a regular back-and-forth movement or change.

to fluctuate between

Substitutes "waver" with "fluctuate", highlighting irregular changes between different states.

to alternate between

Focuses on the act of switching back and forth regularly between two options.

to vacillate between

Replaces "waver" with "vacillate", suggesting indecision and a lack of firm commitment.

to swing between

Emphasizes a broad or noticeable shift from one extreme to another.

to seesaw between

Uses a more figurative expression, comparing the situation to a seesaw motion.

to be torn between

Highlights the internal conflict and difficulty in choosing between two options.

to yo-yo between

Suggests a rapid and frequent change between two states or decisions.

to straddle the fence between

Implies a reluctance to commit to either side, remaining neutral.

to waffle between

Indicates uncertainty and a lack of decisiveness, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "to waver between" in a sentence?

You can use "to waver between" to describe indecision or fluctuation. For example, "The government seemed "to waver between" a desire to imprison him and a reluctance to galvanize his supporters."

What can I say instead of "to waver between"?

You can use alternatives like "to oscillate between", "to fluctuate between", or "to alternate between" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "waver between" or "oscillate between"?

Both "waver between" and "oscillate between" are correct, but "oscillate" suggests a more rhythmic and regular movement, while "waver" implies uncertainty or indecision.

What's the difference between "waver between" and "vary among"?

"Waver between" typically implies a choice or fluctuation between two options, whereas "vary among" suggests a range of options or characteristics.