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Verb + preposition

hesitate with different prepositions

Hesitate is commonly followed by to + verb. Other prepositions are used in more specific contexts.

Quick answer

Common uses of hesitate

Use hesitate to + verb for reluctance or delay. Hesitate about is used for uncertainty about a decision. Hesitate before describes a pause before an action. Hesitate in can describe a context, while hesitate for is uncommon except with time expressions.

She did not hesitate to speak
I am hesitating about the offer
He hesitated before answering

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
hesitate to + verb

Show reluctance or delay

This is the most common structure.

They never hesitate to ask questions
2
hesitate about + noun

Express uncertainty about something

About introduces the topic causing doubt.

She hesitated about the move to another city
3
hesitate before + action

Pause before doing something

Before introduces the following action.

He hesitated before signing the contract
4
hesitate in + situation

Describe the context of hesitation

In usually introduces a situation or field.

Students sometimes hesitate in large meetings

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
hesitate to
Do not hesitate to contact us.
be unwilling or slow to act
hesitate about
She hesitated about changing jobs.
feel uncertain about something
hesitate before
He hesitated before replying.
pause ahead of an action
hesitate for
She hesitated for a moment.
pause during a period of time

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for before verbs

Use to before another verb.

✕ I hesitated for answer. ✓ I hesitated to answer.

Confusing in with direct hesitation

In usually introduces context, not the action itself.

✕ She hesitated in speak. ✓ She hesitated to speak.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please do not hesitate ___ call me.
2. He hesitated ___ the final decision.
3. She hesitated ___ entering the dark room.

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Frequently asked questions

Is hesitate to very formal?

No. It is common in both everyday and formal English.

Can hesitate be followed by an -ing form?

Usually the verb is introduced by before, as in hesitate before speaking.

When do we use hesitate for?

Mostly with time expressions such as for a second or for a moment.

hack-into-by-at-to, in "haggle with" or "haggle for"? "hail from" or "hail as"? hamper by, due, in, for or throughout? "handle by" or "handle in"? hang in, from, over, around or onto? "happen to" or "happen in"? harass by, in, at, for or with? "harm by" or "harm to"? harvest from, in, for, at or by? hasten to, by, from, after or into? hate on, for, by, about or in?

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