What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hesitation
Example
She hesitated before answering the question. [hesitated: past tense verb]
Example
There was a hesitation in his voice when he spoke. [hesitation: noun]
indecision
Example
Her indecision made it difficult to plan the project. [indecision: noun]
Example
He was indecisive about which restaurant to choose for dinner. [indecisive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hesitation is more commonly used than indecision in everyday language. Hesitation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indecision is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hesitation and indecision?
Indecision is more formal than hesitation. It is often used in academic or professional settings to describe a lack of clarity or direction in decision-making.
