wavering between

USAGE SUMMARY

"wavering between" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means being uncertain or indecisive about two or more options. Example: She was wavering between pursuing a career in medicine or law.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wavering between the two shelves yesterday afternoon was Richard Wigzell.

The Guardian - Music

Their checkbooks, too, are wavering between the two candidates.

The New York Times

Wavering between light comedy and drama with wonderfully natural performances, "17 Girls" doesn't judge anyone's behavior.

The New York Times

Drink boldly!" His delivery, wavering between speech and song, suggests both spiritual and physical intoxication.

The New Yorker

A complementary melody, wavering between major and minor, represents Carlotta's moody yearning.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Kirszrot joined the profession after wavering between a career as an artist or an accountant.

The New York Times

Wavering between fact and fiction, the book does not quite satisfy as either.

The New Yorker

The "wavering between total indiscipline and total discipline" is reminiscent of Germany in the 1920's.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Britain has wavered between Europe and America.

The New Yorker

We wavered between Two and Three Pinocchios.

The Washington Post

We wavered between Three and Four Pinocchios.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wavering between" to clearly express uncertainty or indecision when choosing between two distinct options. This construction is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "wavering between" when there are more than two options. If facing three or more choices, consider using phrases like "undecided among", "struggling to choose from", or "considering multiple options."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wavering between" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb to describe a state of indecision or fluctuation between two choices. Ludwig examples showcase its role in expressing uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wavering between" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe indecision or fluctuation between two options. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember to reserve "wavering between" for situations with precisely two choices and ensure the tone is appropriate for your audience. If there are more than two choices, using a different phrase might be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hesitating between

Replaces "wavering" with "hesitating", emphasizing a pause before deciding.

fluctuating between

Uses "fluctuating" to highlight the back-and-forth movement in decision-making.

oscillating between

Employs "oscillating" to suggest a rhythmic swinging between options.

undecided between

Focuses on the state of being "undecided", lacking a firm choice.

torn between

Highlights the internal conflict and emotional difficulty in choosing.

in two minds about

An idiomatic expression indicating uncertainty and divided opinion.

vacillating between

Suggests a more formal and perhaps prolonged period of indecision.

equivocating between

Implies a deliberate attempt to avoid making a clear commitment.

seesawing between

Uses a visual metaphor to describe the alternating preference between options.

caught between

Indicates being trapped or influenced by competing forces or options.

FAQs

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

You can use "wavering between" to indicate indecision between two options. For example, "She was "wavering between" the blue dress and the green one."

What are some alternatives to "wavering between"?

Alternatives include "hesitating between", "undecided between", or "torn between", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Wavering between" is typically used when there are two options. If there are more than two, "wavering among" might be more appropriate, though rephrasing to avoid either is often clearer.

What's the difference between "wavering between" and "undecided between"?

"Wavering between" implies a fluctuation or back-and-forth in decision-making, while "undecided between" simply states a lack of decision. "Wavering" suggests more active consideration.