waver between x and (or) y

[ademoglu]

Hi,

http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/waver?q=waver

She's wavering between buying a house in the city or moving away.

I cannot understand why 'or' is used in the sentence but not 'and.'

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

Like Piscean, I would use "and" there. In fact, I find the use of "or" there rather unnatural.

I don't know whether to stay here or move to London.
I am wavering between staying here and moving to London.

 

[Skrej]

I'd probably use 'and if wavering between similar, but not exclusive options.

"I'm wavering between buying the red shirt and the blue shirt."

I'd probably use 'or' if selecting between mutually exclusive options.

"I'm wavering between buying another shirt or just saving the money. "

 

[Skrej]

Fair enough, I was only about 50% certain of it myself.

 

[jutfrank]

I like Skrej's interesting answer in post #4, but though it might seem natural enough, because of the questionlike nature of the thought, I would have to say that logically speaking, it's not strictly right to say between...or...

• between...and...
  
• whether to...or...