hesitate
To pause briefly before saying or doing something, usually because of uncertainty, nervousness, or a need for reflection. It can also express a reluctance to act due to doubt about the consequences.
Hesitating is a momentary pause in action or speech driven by internal doubt or caution.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A brief pause caused by uncertainty or doubt.
- Commonly used with 'to' followed by another verb.
- Used in formal invitations like 'don't hesitate to ask'.
Summary
Hesitating is a momentary pause in action or speech driven by internal doubt or caution.
- A brief pause caused by uncertainty or doubt.
- Commonly used with 'to' followed by another verb.
- Used in formal invitations like 'don't hesitate to ask'.
Use for polite professional invitations
Include 'Don't hesitate to...' in emails to make yourself sound more helpful and accessible.
Don't confuse with 'pause'
A pause is just a stop in time, but hesitation implies you are unsure about what to do next.
Hesitation as a sign of respect
In some cultures, hesitating before answering a question is seen as a sign of respect and deep thought.
Examples
4 of 4I hesitated before answering because I wasn't sure if I should tell the truth.
Please do not hesitate to contact our customer support team if you encounter any issues.
Don't hesitate, just go for it!
The study found that participants hesitated longer when the choices were more complex.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the phrase: 'He sits and ate' (He-sit-ate). He sits there thinking instead of acting because he is hesitating.
Overview
To hesitate is to experience a temporary delay in action or speech, typically caused by a feeling of uncertainty, nervousness, or a need for further deliberation. It is not necessarily a long-term state of being but rather a specific moment where one stops before proceeding. This word captures the internal conflict between the desire to act and the fear or doubt that holds one back.
Usage Patterns
Grammatically, 'hesitate' is most frequently followed by an infinitive verb, as in 'I hesitate to suggest.' It can also be used with prepositions like 'about' or 'over' when referring to a specific topic or choice, such as 'hesitating over which car to buy.' In many professional contexts, it is used in the negative imperative—'Do not hesitate'—to encourage immediate action or communication.
Common Contexts
You will encounter 'hesitate' in various settings. In social situations, it describes the awkward pause before someone speaks their mind. In business, it often appears in customer service language to invite questions. Physically, it describes the micro-moment before a person commits to a physical action, like stepping onto a busy street or jumping off a diving board. It can also be used in academic or psychological contexts to measure reaction times or decision-making processes.
Similar Words comparison
While 'hesitate' shares similarities with other words, its nuances are distinct. 'Pause' is a more neutral term that simply means to stop briefly; a pause can be planned, whereas hesitation usually implies an emotional or mental hurdle. 'Waver' suggests moving back and forth between two opinions or losing strength. 'Falter' implies a loss of momentum or confidence while already in the middle of an action. 'Procrastinate' is different because it refers to a long-term, often habitual delay of tasks, whereas 'hesitate' is usually a momentary pause.
Usage Notes
The word is neutral and can be used in almost any context. In formal writing, it is almost always paired with 'not' to encourage communication. In literature, it is used to show a character's fear or lack of confidence.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 'hesitate of' or 'hesitate from'. The correct prepositional structure is almost always 'hesitate to' (verb) or 'hesitate about' (noun).
Memory Tip
Think of the phrase: 'He sits and ate' (He-sit-ate). He sits there thinking instead of acting because he is hesitating.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'haesitare', which means 'to stick fast' or 'to stammer'. It suggests being 'stuck' in one spot because you can't decide how to move.
Cultural Context
In American and British business culture, telling someone 'not to hesitate' is a standard way of appearing helpful and reducing the social barrier to asking for help.
Examples
I hesitated before answering because I wasn't sure if I should tell the truth.
everydayPlease do not hesitate to contact our customer support team if you encounter any issues.
formalDon't hesitate, just go for it!
informalThe study found that participants hesitated longer when the choices were more complex.
academicWord Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
without hesitation
hesitate to say
Often Confused With
A pause is a neutral stop in action, while hesitation specifically implies doubt or uncertainty.
Procrastinating is a long-term delay of a task you don't want to do; hesitating is a momentary pause in the middle of a choice.
Grammar Patterns
Use for polite professional invitations
Include 'Don't hesitate to...' in emails to make yourself sound more helpful and accessible.
Don't confuse with 'pause'
A pause is just a stop in time, but hesitation implies you are unsure about what to do next.
Hesitation as a sign of respect
In some cultures, hesitating before answering a question is seen as a sign of respect and deep thought.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word.
If you have any questions, please don't ___ to ask.
The phrase 'do not hesitate to' is a standard English idiom used to encourage action.
Choose the word that best fits the sentence.
She ___ for a second before jumping into the cold water.
Jumping into cold water often causes a brief moment of doubt or pause, which is 'hesitation'.
Put the words in the correct order.
hesitate / to / call / do / not / me
This follows the standard imperative structure 'Do not [verb] to [action]'.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, hesitating can be a sign of caution and thoughtfulness. It allows a person to double-check their facts or safety before proceeding.
Waiting is often caused by external factors, like waiting for a bus. Hesitating is an internal choice or feeling that causes a delay.
Usually, hesitate refers to a short pause. For long delays, words like 'procrastinate' or 'delay' are more accurate.
It is almost always used in the phrase 'Please do not hesitate to contact us,' which is a polite way to encourage communication.
