hesitate
C1Formal and informal; common in both spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
To pause or delay briefly, especially because of uncertainty or indecision before acting or speaking.
To be reluctant or unwilling to do something, often due to doubt, fear, or scruples.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a temporary internal conflict or momentary lack of resolution. It can refer to physical action, speech, or decision-making. Often carries a nuance of politeness or caution when used with an infinitive (e.g., 'I hesitate to say').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Minor potential for spelling variations in derived forms (e.g., 'hesitating' is consistent).
Connotations
Slightly more formal/polite in British English in certain constructions (e.g., 'I hesitate to ask, but...').
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hesitate (intransitive)hesitate to + INFINITIVEhesitate about/over + NOUN/GERUNDVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He who hesitates is lost.”
- “Not for a moment did I hesitate.”
- “Without a moment's hesitation.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions." (Common in email closings.)
Academic
"The researcher did not hesitate to challenge the prevailing theory."
Everyday
"She hesitated before crossing the busy road."
Technical
Rare in hard sciences; possible in AI/robotics: "The agent's algorithm caused it to hesitate at the decision point."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- If you need any more details, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
- He hesitated for a second before ringing the bell.
American English
- Don't hesitate to call if you need help.
- She hesitated before signing the contract.
adverb
British English
- He nodded hesitantly.
- She began to speak hesitantly.
American English
- The child approached the dog hesitantly.
- He answered the question hesitantly.
adjective
British English
- She gave a hesitant reply.
- His hesitant manner suggested a lack of confidence.
American English
- We took hesitant steps onto the icy path.
- A hesitant agreement was finally reached.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat hesitated before jumping down.
- Don't hesitate to ask for water.
- I hesitated because I wasn't sure of the answer.
- If you see a problem, don't hesitate to tell me.
- The government should not hesitate to invest in renewable energy.
- She hesitated for a fraction of a second, which cost her the race.
- Historians do not hesitate to label the period as a cultural renaissance.
- His confident demeanour hesitated only when questioned about the financial discrepancies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine HE SITs and waits (HE SIT ATEs) because he can't decide what to do next.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDECISION IS PHYSICAL STOPPING/BLOCKED MOVEMENT (e.g., 'frozen with indecision', 'stalled', 'at a standstill').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'колебаться' for inanimate objects (e.g., 'The prices hesitate' is wrong; use 'fluctuate' or 'vary').
- Don't use 'hesitate' for prolonged indecision; it implies a brief pause. For long-term doubt, use 'be uncertain' or 'be indecisive'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I hesitate buying this.' Correct: 'I hesitate to buy this' or 'I hesitate about buying this.'
- Overusing 'don't hesitate to...' in overly formal contexts where 'please feel free to...' is better.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hesitate' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can imply weakness or doubt, it can also indicate prudent caution or politeness, as in 'I hesitate to disturb you.'
'Hesitate' implies the pause is caused by uncertainty, reluctance, or indecision. 'Pause' is more neutral, indicating a simple stop for any reason.
It is less common. Standard patterns are 'hesitate to do something' or 'hesitate about/over doing something'. Using a gerund directly (e.g., 'hesitate doing') is generally considered incorrect.
It's a polite formula used to encourage someone to take an action (like ask a question or make contact) without feeling they are being a nuisance. It's a standard closing phrase in emails.