What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hesitant
Example
She was hesitant to speak up in the meeting. [hesitant: adjective]
Example
He hesitated before making the final decision. [hesitated: verb]
uncertain
Example
The future of the project is uncertain at this point. [uncertain: adjective]
Example
She felt uncertain about her ability to complete the task. [uncertain: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Uncertain is more commonly used than hesitant in everyday language. Uncertain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hesitant is less common and refers to a specific type of behavior or action.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hesitant and uncertain?
Both hesitant and uncertain are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
