vacillating between

USAGE SUMMARY

"vacillating between" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe indecision or hesitation between two opposite ideas or courses of action. For example, "After vacillating between going to the movie theater or staying home to watch a streaming movie, I decided to save money and stay in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'd spent the three years vacillating between arrogance and panic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where are the exciting accompaniments, which tip the balance when diners are vacillating between choices?

The New York Times

Finally there's Adam, vacillating between working on dad John's farm and taking landlord Declan's shilling.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He's certainly deserving, vacillating between confusion, acceptance, anger and pathos sometimes in the same scene.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Gallinger has continued posting regular updates on Facebook, vacillating between resignation and anger.

The Washington Post

The real prize is Ukraine, which is vacillating between east and west.

The Economist

I would lie in bed, vacillating between worry and anger, calling her every half-hour.

The New York Times

He played the role of Miles, a conflicted boy who is vacillating between innocence and total corruption.

Princeton University

He has made a living collecting cans since 1989, vacillating between life on the street and transitional housing.

The New York Times

I was vacillating between fear of violence and the importance of standing up against this hatred as a white person.

The New Yorker

"I've been vacillating between these highs of total exhilaration at the opportunity and abject terror and despair," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vacillating between" to clearly express indecision or fluctuation between two distinct options, ensuring the context highlights the contrasting choices.

Common error

Avoid using "vacillating between" when there are more than two options. It's specifically for highlighting indecision between two choices; for multiple options, consider "wavering among" or "undecided among."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vacillating between" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of indecision or fluctuation between two options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes hesitation between opposing ideas or actions, evident in examples like 'vacillating between fear of violence and the importance of standing up'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vacillating between" effectively conveys indecision or fluctuation between two distinct options. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for expressing uncertainty, it's important to avoid misusing it with more than two options. Alternatives like "wavering between" or "torn between" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When writing, ensure that "vacillating between" is used to clearly highlight the contrasting choices and avoid the common error of applying it to multiple options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wavering between

Similar meaning, suggesting a less decisive form of indecision.

fluctuating between

Focuses more on the changing state rather than the decision-making process.

oscillating between

Suggests a rhythmic or cyclical movement between two states.

alternating between

Implies a more regular and predictable shift between two options.

seesawing between

More informal, suggesting an unstable back-and-forth.

undecided between

Simplifies the phrase to a state of being without a decision.

torn between

Emphasizes the emotional difficulty of choosing.

hesitating between

Focuses on the pause or delay in making a choice.

shuffling between

Suggests a disorganized or random movement between options.

yo-yoing between

Informal term that implies constant and rapid changes between two options.

FAQs

How can I use "vacillating between" in a sentence?

The phrase "vacillating between" is used to describe someone who is indecisive and alternates between two options. For example: "He was vacillating between accepting the job offer and continuing his studies."

What phrases are similar to "vacillating between"?

Similar phrases include "wavering between", "fluctuating between", and "torn between". Each conveys a sense of indecision or alternation between two choices.

Is it correct to say "vacillating among" instead of "vacillating between"?

While "vacillating between" is specifically for two options, "vacillating among" can be used when there are more than two choices. However, "vacillating between" remains the standard for binary choices.

What's the difference between "vacillating between" and "hesitating between"?

"Vacillating between" implies a repeated fluctuation or wavering, while "hesitating between" suggests a pause or reluctance before making a decision.