torn on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "torn on" is not correct and not usable in written English.
The phrase you are looking for is "torn between". Example sentence: I was torn between two options, and I eventually decided to take the more difficult path.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're still a bit torn on this one.

TechCrunch

Gotta tell you, I'm really torn on this one.

Forbes

The early adopter crowd is going to be torn on this one.

TechCrunch

Still torn on that one.

Vice

So I'm really torn on this one.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Brown seemed torn on notification.

The New York Times

"I'm torn on the whole situation".

The New York Times

"They're torn on this issue.

The New York Times

I'm torn on the topic of elections.

The Guardian

I am torn on which wedding to attend.

The New York Times

Many people feel torn on big economic questions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuances of different alternatives like "conflicted about" or "undecided on" to convey the specific emotional or cognitive state.

Common error

Avoid using "torn on" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use when expressing indecision between options is "between". For example, say "I'm torn between going to the party and staying home" not "I'm torn on going to the party and staying home".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "torn on" is a prepositional phrase that attempts to describe a state of indecision or conflict, but it's grammatically unconventional. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect usage, recommending "torn between" instead. The examples provided show its appearance in various contexts, although its correctness is questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "torn on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the correct alternative as "torn between" when expressing indecision or conflict between multiple options. Although some examples exist in news media, it's best to avoid "torn on" in formal writing and opt for more established alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Always consider context and choose the most precise phrase to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torn between

Indicates a choice between two or more distinct options, emphasizing the difficulty in deciding.

conflicted about

Highlights the internal struggle and emotional aspect of the decision.

undecided on

Focuses on the lack of a firm decision, without necessarily implying a strong internal conflict.

wavering on

Suggests a back-and-forth movement between different opinions or courses of action.

ambivalent about

Emphasizes mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.

of two minds about

Expresses the state of having two conflicting opinions or feelings.

in a dilemma regarding

Presents the situation as a difficult problem with no easy solution.

hesitant about

Indicates reluctance or unwillingness to make a decision or take action.

unsure about

Highlights the lack of certainty or confidence in one's opinion or decision.

doubtful about

Suggests skepticism or a lack of conviction regarding a particular matter.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say I'm finding it difficult to choose between two options?

The accurate way to express difficulty in choosing between options is to say you are "torn between" them. For instance, "I'm torn between the blue dress and the red one."

Is "torn on" grammatically correct, and if not, what should I use instead?

No, "torn on" is not grammatically correct. You should use "torn between" to express indecision between two or more choices.

Can I use "torn on" in formal writing?

No, it's not advisable to use "torn on" in formal writing. Opt for the more grammatically sound phrase "torn between" to maintain credibility and clarity.

What are some alternative phrases to express being conflicted about a decision?

Instead of "torn on", you can say you are "conflicted about", "undecided on", or "wavering on" the decision, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.